Andy Payton, Former Celtic Star, Reveals Early-Onset Dementia Diagnosis

Former footballer Andy Payton, aged 57, has revealed he is living with early-onset dementia, which he and his neurologist attribute to years of heading footballs during his playing career. Payton experienced symptoms such as memory loss, headaches, and forgetfulness, leading to a diagnosis after scans showed significant brain damage. He now relies heavily on his partner for day-to-day support and estimates he may have headed the ball over 10,000 times during his career. Payton is raising awareness about the risks of young-onset dementia, particularly among former athletes, and urges others to seek medical evaluation if experiencing symptoms. His case echoes those of other footballers, highlighting growing concerns about the link between brain injury from sports and dementia, as well as the need for better support for affected ex-players. Experts note a rise in young-onset dementia diagnoses and warn that many people remain unaware of its early warning signs.