Former Footballers Raise Dementia Awareness, Demand Support

Former Celtic player John Hughes expressed his fear of developing dementia due to his football career, particularly through heading the ball. Speaking at the launch of a report advocating for recognition of football-related brain injuries as industrial injuries, Hughes highlighted the need for a cultural shift in football away from its 'macho' stigma, emphasizing the importance of education and awareness about head injuries. The report noted that former footballers are three-and-a-half times more likely to suffer from neurodegenerative conditions. Similarly, Dean Windass, a former Premier League striker, shared his own stage two dementia diagnosis, expressing his fears for the future while advocating for increased support for affected players and their families. Both Hughes and Windass underlined the urgent need for better support and awareness regarding brain injuries in football. Their testimonies reflect a growing concern within the sport about the long-term effects of head trauma on players.