NRL star James Tedesco has shut down suggestions his latest – and 10th – documented concussion could send him into an early retirement.
The Kangaroos, Blues and Roosters skipper was knocked out while attempting to tackle Bulldogs big man Viliame Kikau on Friday night.
Tedesco left with the game for what was ruled a category one concussion, which means he’ll now stand down for the NRL’s mandatory 11 days.
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Roosters greats Boyd Cordner and Jake Friend both retired early due in recent years to head knocks, while current No. 6 Luke Keary is facing a similar predicament.
But Tedesco, 31, played down concerns his latest concussion could put his playing future in danger.
“I’m all right, I’m not too bad,” Tedesco told The SMH.
“Obviously, it was a big hit but, after the game, I was able to come home with my wife and have a good sleep.
“I’m pretty sweet today. It obviously looks like big contact, which it was, but it’s just one of those things. You can’t go high on the big fella. I was trying to go low and that happens.
“I’m appreciative of all the messages and calls making sure I am all right. People are looking out for me and checking I’m all right. I’ve replied to everyone I could and let them know I am all good.”
Tedesco, who made his NRL debut as a teenager in 2012, has suffered seven concussions in the past three years and 10 in total.
“Over 12 or 13 years, it’s not ridiculous,” he said.
“If I had ongoing symptoms after my concussions, I would be concerned. But I’ve recovered well from the ones I’ve had.
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“I can only judge on myself. Obviously people will have different opinions, but they wouldn’t really know unless they are going through it themselves.
“We’ve obviously had a lot over the past years, usually with our captains and Keary and a few other boys.
“I’m in the best hands; they always look after their players at the Roosters. They are very adamant that our health comes first.
“Guys who have had issues in the past have been well looked after. Those guys had some time off and really bad repercussions from some of their head knocks.
“People are going to make comments, that’s all part of the game. These are all very individual circumstances, what the players feel when they are going through it.
“From my end, at the moment, I feel good. I’m up and about, I’ve definitely had worse ones where I’ve felt more foggy and had headaches. But I’ve woken up this morning after a good sleep and I’m feeling pretty good.”
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