St George Illawarra star James Graham has become the first current NRL player to commit to donating his brain to science, in a bid to help further research into concussion and the degenerative disorder, CTE.
CTE is chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and is a disease that can only be diagnosed in an autopsy.
The disease is linked to repeated head trauma, and is synonymous with the NFL. Earlier this week, studies revealed two former NRL players had the disorder.
Speaking to Fox League, Graham said he wants to help scientists and the game of rugby league learn everything they can in reference to concussions.
“I sent my papers off on Wednesday (to donate my brain) so I guess when I die my brain and spinal cord, if I’m in Sydney, will be going to the Sydney University for them to look at, examine and hopefully some good can come of this,” Graham said.
“It was a personal decision to be honest.
“I think when you’re dead you’re dead so I don’t know if there is an afterlife or whatever it may be, but I won’t be going there with a brain.
“Your next of kin has to sign the papers so it was a conversation that came up, but my wife was happy to sign.”
Graham has signed up to do tests for the remainder of his playing career, too.
“I’ve been on the receiving end of some concussions and head traumas, so I’m trying to arm myself with as much information as possible,” Graham said.
“I want to be proactive rather than sit there at 70 or 80 and wonder how I am in this situation and why can’t I remember things.
“I have been in touch with people at the Monash Trauma Group and I am about to undergo a couple of tests there.”
Following in the footsteps of Eels legend Peter Sterling, who announced his intent to donate his brain earlier this week, some of his former Eels teammates have also expressed their interest in helping the cause.
"I need to have a chat to the family, although the ultimate decision will be mine," five-eighth Brett Kenny said.
"But it's probably something you don't think about until the subject becomes very real like it has with the news the past day.
"Really there'd be no harm in doing it because I'm not going to use my brain when I'm gone.
"But it might help make things better for the guys who are the future of rugby league."
Peter Wynn joined Kenny in considering the donation at a Sportsmen's Lunch in Darwin on Friday.
"There’s plenty of head knocks in my day… plenty to reflect on now," he said.
"I’ve honestly not really thought about it until now. I just thought it was part of my past. I didn’t realise it was becoming an issue now.
"I’ll have to get home and have a chat to my wife and family and see what they think."