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SYDNEY Roosters great Kevin Hastings has revealed he came close to taking his own life after spiralling into depression due to the number of head knocks he received during his distinguished career.
Hastings, who played more than 200 games for the Roosters between 1976 and 1987 and was voted the Dally M halfback of the year on three occasions, made the startling revelation in Rugby League Week magazine.
The publication has undertaken an investigation into the effects of concussion on players and discovered there are a number of former first-graders suffering from problems linked to head knocks.
Hastings, whose talented son Jackson signed for the Roosters last month, has been suffering from depression since retiring.
"I was going to check out. I could see no other way out to my problems and my mind was made up,'' Hastings said. "Luckily someone close to me intervened.
"They got to me and stopped me...if not for that, I would be gone now. I am lucky.
"It's something I have kept very quiet not even my kids know but I think the time has come to speak up now.
"I am convinced (the head knocks) did the damage to me, brought on my depression.''
The report also reveals former Test winger Willie Carne's memory is shot due to blows to the head and Paul Langmack is in constant agony with head and neck aches.
Health issues they have reported include depression (in some cases leading to suicidal tendencies), memory loss, constant head and neck pain, and dementia.
RLW has also revealed South Sydney have been the subject of a video dossier circulated among medics from rival NRL clubs, which the doctors believe show the Rabbitohs have not followed the NRL concussion guidelines on some occasions this season.
SYDNEY Roosters great Kevin Hastings has revealed he came close to taking his own life after spiralling into depression due to the number of head knocks he received during his distinguished career.
Hastings, who played more than 200 games for the Roosters between 1976 and 1987 and was voted the Dally M halfback of the year on three occasions, made the startling revelation in Rugby League Week magazine.
The publication has undertaken an investigation into the effects of concussion on players and discovered there are a number of former first-graders suffering from problems linked to head knocks.
Hastings, whose talented son Jackson signed for the Roosters last month, has been suffering from depression since retiring.
"I was going to check out. I could see no other way out to my problems and my mind was made up,'' Hastings said. "Luckily someone close to me intervened.
"They got to me and stopped me...if not for that, I would be gone now. I am lucky.
"It's something I have kept very quiet not even my kids know but I think the time has come to speak up now.
"I am convinced (the head knocks) did the damage to me, brought on my depression.''
The report also reveals former Test winger Willie Carne's memory is shot due to blows to the head and Paul Langmack is in constant agony with head and neck aches.
Health issues they have reported include depression (in some cases leading to suicidal tendencies), memory loss, constant head and neck pain, and dementia.
RLW has also revealed South Sydney have been the subject of a video dossier circulated among medics from rival NRL clubs, which the doctors believe show the Rabbitohs have not followed the NRL concussion guidelines on some occasions this season.
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