Royce Simmons [Discussion]

[Cobarcats]

Please, can we be respectful to Royce and everyone who knows him by not delving too deep into the subject, after a while we'll be talking about anything other than what is pertinent, that is Royce and his grieving family.
Just in case someone who is close to Royce reads these posts, think about what you say and be supportive, it's not about us, it's about being concerned and thinking about them.
IMO

 

[Odessa]

Hi does anyone here know him ?

In the USA they are now using endogenous ketones which you can buy at the local health shop and they are having great results and the results are coming inside of two weeks they are firing the nureons in the brain

 

[oldprop]

Hi does anyone here know him ?

In the USA they are now using endogenous ketones which you can buy at the local health shop and they are having great results and the results are coming inside of two weeks they are firing the nureons in the brain

Yes mate, there’s quite a few of us on here that know him and see him around regularly. He’s a well respected guy. Thanks very much for your advice.

 

[Magpie_Magic]

Gee that's shocking news.
Here's hoping he stays engaged and active and being young he stays in good shape till treatments hopefully are available.

 

[jirskyr]

I’m not a lawyer, but if the NRL are taking precautions now that they weren’t taking 30-40 years ago, that right there could be grounds to sue. You can’t really argue that the affects of concussions weren’t known back as far back as the 90’s because the evidence was out there

No, it's more about duty of care with sufficient knowledge. Corporations get done when it can be proven they've known about risks or, worse, hidden / suppressed risks, e.g. tobacco companies with cigarettes.

For the NRL to be taking action now, that's really based on a new weight of evidence and study in recent decades, which is affecting many contact codes at once - league, rugby, NFL, soccer. For example CT and MRI scans have only become commonplace since the 1980s and the resolving power was much more primitive back then.

It's kind of like climate change: scientists have known or at least suspected for a long time that people were significantly affecting the environment, but suspicion is a different thing to having empirical evidence, which has really emerged over the last 20 years - temperature records, weather records etc. And once you know or suspect where you are looking, sometimes it can become far more concrete / achieve consensus.

It would have to be proven that the NRL or ARL knew for sure that there were above-average risks and did not act accordingly. I also don't even know if the NRL can be challenged for actions that may have occurred under the ARL or NSWRL - they may be legally entirely different entities. The clubs might be at more risk, but again you'd have to prove they had concrete knowledge of risk factors without taking action - and I am going to suspect that would be very difficult to prove.

 

[tony soprano]

I like what Royce said that rugby league was the greatest thing that happened to him in his life. Ch 7 news report

He most certainly would of made sure he had a good time during his playing years, both on and off the field?. And he had probably the greatest fairytale finish in RL history with his 2 tries and a premiership in his last game!

Remember reading in some ex-player's book about a story featuring Roycie where him and his mates were being rowdy in some establishment and the bouncers kicked them out. Roycie supposedly said "don't worry I'll throw myself out", grabbed himself by his collar and his belt and proceeded to launch himself out onto the footpath outside?

Didn't he say he was going to have a schooner with all of Penrith after the gf.

 

[Spartan117]

Sad indeed,

Heard just this morning that insomniacs are at a significantly higher risk of this in the later lives

 

[Papacito]

Was listening to 2sm today..Pete Mortimer rang in to confirm rumours Steve has some very serious health issues,including unfortunately a very rapidly developing dementia problem
Gonna be ARLs biggest issue this year after Covid,and expect to see another crackdown on head tackles

Could be going down the same road as the NFL have in recent years. Potential for a lot of lawsuits.

Which I think is wrong. No-one forces any player to play the game, it's obviously a high risk sport and that fact is known by every player from a very young age. Same as combat sports, motorsports and the like.

That being said all the best to Royce and I hope he has many more years of quality of life. Sad news.

Putting personal views aside, if someone earns money from footy they're covered by workplace health and safety laws.

The question then becomes whether reasonable steps were taken to minimise risk.

I'm not a judge, but the lack of concussion and high tackle rules back in Royce's day will make for an interesting case when someone eventually goes to court.

 

[paul wright]

Alzheimers is a terrible disease,there is nothing worse than seeing somebody lose their recognition skills and not even remembering their partner/children or even their parents if they are still alive.I hope that Royce and his family get as much support and help as they possibly can.

 

[crazycat]

I think it's moreso about duty of care. No one is forcing them to play but they are surrounded by people they trust with their lives in doctors and physios. So I can understand if there was a lack of duty of care. If more people come with head related injuries and with long term effects of it, NRL will and should be blamed. If people who play Rugby League are more likely to have long term brain related illnesses, it would mean that this sport isn't safe, it isn't regulated well or the code has a pattern of a lack of duty of care.

Where do you draw the line though as far as Duty Of Care is concerned? High-risk sports are described as such for a reason.

100% don't want to degenerate this thread though, it's intended as a place of good wishes for Roycie and his wellbeing.

Pretty sure that if guys like Royce and Turvey had their time over they would still play the game despite what has been discovered about concussion etc. in recent years.

People play the game because they love the game and it satisfies their competitive side and if they do okay financially out of it then that is a bonus.

This is the 90's remember. Long before Wayne Bennett would refuse paying Petro 300k to be a prop!

 

[hank37w]

I think it's moreso about duty of care. No one is forcing them to play but they are surrounded by people they trust with their lives in doctors and physios. So I can understand if there was a lack of duty of care. If more people come with head related injuries and with long term effects of it, NRL will and should be blamed. If people who play Rugby League are more likely to have long term brain related illnesses, it would mean that this sport isn't safe, it isn't regulated well or the code has a pattern of a lack of duty of care.

Where do you draw the line though as far as Duty Of Care is concerned? High-risk sports are described as such for a reason.

100% don't want to degenerate this thread though, it's intended as a place of good wishes for Roycie and his wellbeing.

Pretty sure that if guys like Royce and Turvey had their time over they would still play the game despite what has been discovered about concussion etc. in recent years.

**People play the game because they love the game and it satisfies their competitive side and if they do okay financially out of it then that is a bonus.**

This is the 90's remember. Long before Wayne Bennett would refuse paying Petro 300k to be a prop!

Yes I do remember that and did refer to the financial side of things as being incidental or a bonus if there was much in it.

Think someone else also mentioned on here that Royce actually did say he would do it all again in a heart beat. (or words to that effect)

Probably should have said, "People played the game in the past mainly because they loved the game and the competitiveness at a time where the financial incentives were no where near as great as they are today.

 

[OzLuke]

I'm surprised that the NRL doesn't make headgear mandatory. I know it doesn't stop the huge head clashes etc, but surely it would help a lot of the smaller knocks? Anything to protect the head must be good surely?

 

[Fade.To.Black]

I'm surprised that the NRL doesn't make headgear mandatory. I know it doesn't stop the huge head clashes etc, but surely it would help a lot of the smaller knocks? Anything to protect the head must be good surely?

Supposedly headgear doesn't lesson the effects on the brain. You would have to think it would help in some impacts to cushion the blow somewhat.

 

[clontarfkid]

Was listening to 2sm today..Pete Mortimer rang in to confirm rumours Steve has some very serious health issues,including unfortunately a very rapidly developing dementia problem
Gonna be ARLs biggest issue this year after Covid,and expect to see another crackdown on head tackles

Could be going down the same road as the NFL have in recent years. Potential for a lot of lawsuits.

Which I think is wrong. No-one forces any player to play the game, it's obviously a high risk sport and that fact is known by every player from a very young age. Same as combat sports, motorsports and the like.

That being said all the best to Royce and I hope he has many more years of quality of life. Sad news.

..what were seeing now is the legacy of an era where players were 75% of the size and athletism they are today...unless something changes there will be no contact sports in 20 yrs time
Expect further "crackdowns " asap..

 

[supercoach]

A few of the old Wests supporters might remember a guy called Rod Smith, a lock or second rower who played in the Noel Kelly era..His brother was Wayne Smith who played full back. Anyway Rod passed away yesterday aged 74 of Alzheimers. You certainly have to worry about the links of brain trauma injuries and Alzheimers.

Anyway Rod was a great guy and a great friend of mine for over 30 years and loved the Magpies till the lights went out

 

[KingRobbie]

A few of the old Wests supporters might remember a guy called Rod Smith, a lock or second rower who played in the Noel Kelly era..His brother was Wayne Smith who played full back. Anyway Rod passed away yesterday aged 74 of Alzheimers. You certainly have to worry about the links of brain trauma injuries and Alzheimers.

Anyway Rod was a great guy and a great friend of mine for over 30 years and loved the Magpies till the lights went out

Sorry to hear mate.

 

[tiger_one]

A few of the old Wests supporters might remember a guy called Rod Smith, a lock or second rower who played in the Noel Kelly era..His brother was Wayne Smith who played full back. Anyway Rod passed away yesterday aged 74 of Alzheimers. You certainly have to worry about the links of brain trauma injuries and Alzheimers.

Anyway Rod was a great guy and a great friend of mine for over 30 years and loved the Magpies till the lights went out

Sorry for your loss.
Alzheimers is a curse.

 

[Suzie-Q]

Good to see former Wests Tigers assistant coach, Royce Simmons, raising awareness for early onset dementia. Top bloke. One of the very best. You can follow him on Insta "Royce's Big Walk"

The next town away from me is Royce's home town. His little sister is my hairdresser!

Anyway, here's a link, give if you can:

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbrnw.ch%2F21wLImo%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1VDX9m_EaxPEmyCcJ90JCs4QtMnbxdsLMaf1gfRQ28Wxi_9SIOVpOksyA_aem_46a4yFLrtrZG-GQpMS1RQw&h=AT0LBtALkMYxhiDF-rw9XyHf-3wBraPvpmOWHGsNbTJpGizJOUqZ-rhiIMsHoL6IHP1YjDxI9-2633YMMwpWK5fQGq5WrcLMAm5_pasUy3G2oPoBBTBk9squnU83NFkV6w&__tn__=-UK-y-R&c[0]=AT1_B1g8cuqmiQHV7SWCGqLUuY8d72Vaa4EpP5ygSq2qrbfwm1NM1DzGthdSeCMU1yoq-D1kXgjLAd20WE0GbUkgIyOFZauqB7B6zB_7Om1geCz8x63sebsLEncyE6pqRPeWB2dzX7kvKr-tqmGTr5yzurmgoiVTXfBKFJHbidWFFUoVqHCfZVaRxd3d6-dsi8jlhGkoN0Rg29QUURzIXZAf6OSX1pQOWPKo9iJHv4jHWaUO8zCgHLaNkw

Log in or sign up to view

See posts, photos and more on Facebook.

www.facebook.com

 

[upthetigers]

Supporting a great cause. I bumped into Royce at Penrith Leagues last year during grand final week. Hope he is travelling well. Wish we had a leagues to bump into former players.

 

[Suzie-Q]

Nice words from our very own Robbie Farah about one of the very best, Royce Simmons

Royce feels the love on his charity walk

True Blue Royce Simmons raises dementia awareness as he gets re-acquainted with the Origin shield.

www.nswrl.com.au