Rugby league icon Ian Roberts shares sad diagnosis, wants Run It Straight trend banned
Rugby league icon Ian Roberts has revealed a sad health diagnosis and pleaded for the Run It Straight trend to be banned, issuing a warning about the long term effects of the controversial trend.
Roberts, who became the first professional rugby league player to come out as gay 30 years ago, revealed he had recently been diagnosed with epilepsy.
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'There are consequences long-term,' the 60-year-old told Nine's Today on Tuesday, reflecting on his footy career.
'In the last 12 months I've had a bit of an issue myself. I was just recently diagnosed … with epilepsy.
'I reckon the damage I did to myself was not taking the shots (tackles), it was making the shots.
'I'm good, I just started a new process with medication which has really helped.'
The former rugby league hardman said looking back, he would have changed the way he played and eased up on some of his big hits.
'When you're 19 and 20, you're never going to be 50, you are never going to be 60, (because) that is too far away.
'But the fact is I'm 60 this year and knowing what I know now, and my own personal situation, there are things I would have changed about my playing style.
'In 1990 when I made that conscious effort to pull off more big hits, or to toughen my image up, I definitely wouldn't be doing that.'
Renowned as one of the toughest players of his era in the 1980s and 90s, Roberts has been alarmed by the Run It Straight trend that has gone viral on social media for the big hits seen in organised competitions.
A Run It Straight competition was held in Melbourne this year, but the trend took a turn when a New Zealand teenager died following a casual 'run it straight' game with mates last month.
Official New Zealand sporting bodies have distanced themselves from the trend, while a leading neuroscientist has told news.com.au a death from the new contact sport was sadly 'only a matter of time'.
'The research, the history and the science is out there now,' Roberts told Today, while sending his well wishes to his former Rabbitohs teammate Mario Fenech, who was diagnosed with dementia in his 50s.
'These type of collisions have long-term, potentially catastrophic effects.
'I'd like to send a shout-out to Mario Fenech and Rebecca Fenech. Mario has stood up in the last couple of years about his situation, and this is what we're facing.
'(Run It Straight trend) is based on outrage, and shares and likes, so all this stuff gets airtime but it is really dangerous stuff.'
Roberts went as far to say Run It Straight competitions should be banned.
'It takes sporting bodies, codes, or the government to get behind this. Parents need to know what their children are watching and what they're doing,' he said.
'You've got to keep poking the bear. This is long-term, potentially catastrophic consequences for young people.
'We can't keep ignoring it.'
Footage emerged over the weekend of fans on the hill at Brookvale Oval partaking in the Run It Straight challenge after Manly defeated the Broncos on Saturday.
Fans slowly trotted down the hill as others waited at the bottom to tackle them with countless people watching on and cheering.
One man slammed down his drink before taking off down the hill where he was flattened by another individual.
Another was hit just as hard while a third carried so much speed he bowled into the crowd at the bottom who all had their phones recording the chaos.
The Sea Eagles condemned the fan behaviour, vowing to step up security with club CEO Tony Mestrov thankful nobody was seriously injured.
'It's crazy that people will do this type of thing when they know how dangerous and potentially life-threatening it is,' Mestrov said to The Sydney Morning Herald.
'We will ensure our security is more vigilant in patrolling this outside zone after full-time, at all future home games.
'Any spectators who breach our rules by engaging in this type of behaviour will be banned. Full stop. As a club, we will continue to make the match day experience at 4 Pines Park one that is safe and enjoyable for all.'
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