James Graham was forced to return from concussions early which contributed toward brain damage

For the first time since retiring from the NRL in 2020, former prop James Graham decided to get an MRI to find out how much damage 100-plus concussions over his 423-career had caused. The scan found conclusive proof that he has brain damage from his time playing rugby league and the former Bulldogs and St. George Illawarra hardman wants the NRL to take action. He estimates he suffered over 100 concussions throughout his playing career 'It has been confirmed via an MRI scan that part of my 36-year-old brain is damaged, that is 'down on volume' at the front and side part of my brain,' Graham wrote for News Corp. 'While the neuropsychological tests I passed quite well an MRI showed the possible wear and tear of 17 years of rugby league, over 400 games and around 100 concussions. How James Graham believes the NRL needs to act on head injuries • An annual brain body and mind checkup for ex-players; • We need to strictly limit contact in practice, similar to the NFL; • I'd like a concussion to be treated like any other injury for example a hamstring tear, where it is accepted a player would not return to the game until fully recovered; • I know as a player I felt the pressure to return as quickly as possible to my team.