Former football star David May has shared his concerns for what lies ahead, speaking openly on BBC Breakfast on Friday.
In a segment hosted by Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty, the topic of dementia’s potential links to football was discussed in light of the new Football Association (FA) regulation aimed at reducing deliberate heading in youth matches across England.
In a poignant moment with the hosts, David revealed he had headed the ball approximately 20,000 times in his career, saying: “I didn’t know anything, it’s only really coming to light now that this is coming out.”
Expressing uncertainty about his future health, the 54-year-old questioned whether he would receive necessary support, pondering: “Would I have the care from the governing bodies, from the PFA, the funding, that these families now, are not actually getting.”
Footballer David May details health fear as he admits ‘I’m worried’ for future
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Naga Munchetty probed further, asking if he was worried about having symptoms in the future, to which he replied: “It’s worrying. Yeah, I’m worried, of course I am. I’ve got a family to look after. I don’t want my children looking after me day in and day out.”
During the interview, John Stiles disclosed the heartbreaking reality that his father, football legend Nobby Stiles, had to sell his medals to afford necessary medical treatment, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The BBC presenter delved into the financial burdens of care, noting that even footballers with assumed wealth face hefty costs.
David responded: “Care does cost a lot of money and the money that’s going into the PFA, is it enough money to care for the future generations, who one in three, have a possibility of getting dementia?”
The duo spoke about the link between footballers and dementia
(Image: BBC)
In an earlier part of the interview, while discussing his father’s condition, the guest shared that they had donated his dad’s brain to Dr. Willie Stewart post-mortem.
Upon examination, the family discovered that Nobby did have vascular dementia or Alzheimer’s on the brain.
John informed the BBC hosts: “The disease that killed him is called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). I asked him (Dr Willie Stewart) how many footballers’ brains he examined had CTE, it was 70%. That’s what killed my father.”
John spoke about selling his father’s medals in order to pay for his healthcare
(Image: BBC)
Acknowledging the stroke of luck that his father’s medals brought in covering steep healthcare expenses, John continued: “If my dad didn’t have medals to sell, I don’t know what my family would’ve done.
“That is what is happening with families now. Football families, when they go into care homes, they’re in a terrible state. That is why we’re campaigning to get help for those families, who basically are in a complete financial mess when their loved one goes into a care home.”
BBC Breakfast continues weekdays on BBC One from 6am.