As the debate over the NRL's crackdown on high tackles rages on, one of the legends of the game has a sobering message to players who have expressed anger towards ARL chairman Peter V'landys for the recent rule changes.<\/p>\n
Former champion Canterbury halfback and NSW Origin captain Steve Mortimer, 64, has opened up about his secret battle with dementia in the hope his condition will give today's playing group a reality check.<\/p>\n
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In recent days, leading players have reportedly spoken of ousting V'landys in the wake of record charges filed against players for making contact with the head.<\/p>\n
Mortimer said his condition is "absolutely" linked to head knocks suffered during his career and that he got in touch with V'landys after reading reports about the players' stance.<\/p>\n
"I said, 'you have just got to forget all these people who are against you'," Mortimer told News Corp of his conversation with V'landys on Monday.<\/p>\n
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"And these blokes who want to stick it up Peter V'landys or whatever have got no bloody idea.<\/p>\n
When asked if he was doing okay, Mortimer said: <\/p>\n
"I believe I am. No one wants me to be a commentator now and that is all.<\/p>\n
"I respect that.<\/p>\n
"I am fine.<\/p>\n
"But I do have part of my brain that has died from playing the game of rugby league."<\/p>\n
Mortimer has been battling the illness for years and his family, including his footballing brothers Peter, Chris and Glen were all aware of his condition.<\/p>\n
Mortimer is a Bulldogs legend and is arguably the most famous Canterbury player alongside Terry Lamb, having played for the club and led them in the front office. <\/p>\n
He played 272 games for Canterbury, 16 matches for NSW, which included captaining the Blues to that historic first-ever State of Origin series in 1985. <\/p>\n
The vision of Mortimer being carried off the ground by his teammates is one of the most enduring Origin images of all time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"