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Football's Dark Secret: Dementia Link Revealed
6 Jan
Summary
- Gordon McQueen's daughter believes heading the ball contributed to his dementia.
- McQueen suffered concussions but continued playing in his football career.
- New rules ban heading in youth football due to brain damage concerns.
Former Scotland defender Gordon McQueen's daughter has indicated that heading a football for over 16 years may have contributed to his developing dementia. McQueen, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 70, was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2021. He had a distinguished career, earning 30 Scotland caps and playing for top clubs like Manchester United and Leeds United.
During his playing days, McQueen reportedly suffered concussions but would continue to play. His daughter recalled him lying in darkened rooms with headaches after training. These experiences have raised significant concerns about the long-term impact of heading the ball on players' brain health. This situation echoes the case of Jeff Astle, whose death in 2002 was attributed to repeated head trauma from football.
In response to mounting evidence linking heading to brain damage, football authorities have introduced new rules. Heading is now prohibited in matches for children aged under-9s, with the ban progressively extending to older age groups. These measures aim to protect younger players and address the health risks associated with the sport.
