Steve Thompson, a celebrated England rugby World Cup player, has bravely revealed that he frequently struggles to remember his children’s names.

Thompson, 46, has put away all his medals, trophies, and memorabilia following the devastating diagnosis of early-onset dementia, which plunged him into periods of suicidal thoughts.

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Diagnosed at the age of 42, the former front-row player was told he had both dementia and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in 2020.

Thompson is set to bravely recount his experiences in a forthcoming TNT documentary that explores the mental toll the sport has taken on him.

The dedicated father of four young children sat down with former teammate Phil Vickery to share a heart-wrenching update from his home in Cheshire.

The two reviewed photographs of Thompson’s young children as he struggled to remember their names: Seren, Slone, Saskia, and Saxon.

Vickery initiated the conversation, “What do you recall from 2003?”

A defeated Thompson replied, “It’s odd. I remember nothing. I can’t even recall being in Australia.

“The whole experience has vanished. Everything from that period of my life is simply gone.”

Vickery pressed on, “What about anything from when we returned, from the open top bus or the palace?”

Thompson answered, “No, nothing. It’s just not there. My life feels flipped upside down. I constantly struggle with confusion, memory deficits, and episodes of anger.”

“I went through a considerable phase of guilt regarding the kids and Steph. At one point, I was nearly suicidal. I felt that leaving would be a selfless decision.”

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“When I see myself or fellow players, I feel like a fraud. It’s as if I wasn’t the person who was there. Like I didn’t truly take part.”

However, this versatile player, who transitioned from flanker to hooker, will always be celebrated as a rugby icon, featuring prominently in nearly all of England’s matches leading up to their World Cup triumph.

Thompson made his Red Rose debut a year earlier against Scotland.

Growing up in one of Northampton’s most deprived areas and working as a doorman, he developed a courageous spirit.

Perhaps the most poignant part of his chat with Vickery was when Thompson admitted he regrets the career he once adored.

He reflected, “If I could go back and do it all again, I wouldn’t choose rugby.”

“I would prefer to work on a construction site and lead an ordinary life. That was our job, and we were expected to excel at it.”

“Without questioning anything about it, we did everything we could to succeed, which likely contributed to our achievements.”

Thompson struggles to remember his first concussion or last; he just knows he experienced ‘the white dots’ frequently during his illustrious rugby career.

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Hailing from Hemel Hempstead and raised in Northampton, Thompson was the hooker in the World Cup final hosted in Australia.

He dedicated nine years to Northampton Saints, making 195 appearances throughout his stint.

Following England’s sole World Cup title, Thompson and his teammates were honored with medals by Queen Elizabeth II upon their return.

Despite this, Thompson cannot recall any of these pivotal moments in his career.

While many players hung up their boots post-2003, Thompson continued to play in the 2011 World Cup, despite suffering a neck injury in 2007.

His professional career lasted 13 years, but prematurely ended in 2011 due to another neck injury.

“We treat players like they are just meat that must train and follow orders; when they fail to perform, we discard them—and that’s the harsh reality.”

Steve Thompson

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In 2020, Thompson, along with other players, initiated a legal case to sue rugby’s governing bodies citing negligence.

The former Saints player, alongside Michael Lipman and former Wales No8 Alix Popham, were chosen as test cases against the RFU, World Rugby, and Welsh Rugby Union.

This ongoing legal battle has seen four additional British & Irish Lions enter the fray.

Lee Byrne, Gareth Cooper, Harry Ellis, and Phil Greening, who toured with the Lions between 2001 and 2009, are among the 43 players identified.

According to the Mail, the British legal firm Rylands Legal has reached out to over 100 former players as part of this landmark lawsuit.

The claimants contend that rugby union’s governing bodies failed to implement adequate safety measures to safeguard their health.

A trial date for the lawsuit is not expected to be set before 2025.

Thompson told The Guardian in 2020: “I don’t wish for the sport to end, but it’s essential that those in top positions understand that the most valuable asset of this beautiful game is the players.

“We need to ensure they are treated with the respect they deserve.

“Currently, they are regarded as mere commodities, expected to train and perform, and when they struggle, they are disposed of—and that’s the unvarnished truth.”

Last year, Thompson made headlines for being the first athlete to donate his brain for research on the impacts of brain trauma, including CTE resulting from repeated head injuries.

“In relation to CTE and repeated head impacts, training also plays a significant role,” Thompson mentioned on GMB in April.

“World Rugby professes that player protection is their utmost priority, yet they are on the brink of introducing another international tournament for clubs.”

The documentary portrays the journey of Thompson and his family as they grapple with his diagnosis while he advocates for safer rugby practices.

Thompson, who earned 73 England caps, reports that he experiences panic attacks and occasionally forgets his wife Steph’s name.

He previously shared with the BBC in April that memories of his children’s births are beginning to blur.

The former hooker, pivotal in the British Lions’ 20-17 win over Australia in 2013, currently manages one of his daughter’s U12 football teams.

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