One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: one-eyed on July 27, 2022, 04:51:27 PM
-
Former Port Adelaide and Richmond forward Jay Schulz lifts lid on brain damage battle
“I open up my laptop and have to go into my sent messages to realise what I’d done the day before with work.”
Mitch Keating
zerohanger.com
July 27, 2022 - 2:46PM
Former Port Adelaide and Richmond forward Jay Schulz has opened up on his battle with brain damage, having suffered in the vicinity of 40 concussions over AFL career.
In an ongoing tussle with "high anxiety, anger, depression", Schulz at times finds himself snapping and grinding his teeth in a random occurrence, with his worrying family at the forefront of his concerns.
It has led him to pledge his brain to science in the hope of further studies into the impacts concussion can have on the futures of AFL players, and the imminent health risk at hand.
Schulz was one of 10 former players that underwent a Swinburne University study to aid research into the effects of head knocks, something the 37-year-old is all too familiar with.
“It’s been pretty confronting for the family,” Schulz told The Advertiser.
“My kids don’t understand there’s something wrong with Dad’s brain, which has changed the way he is – it’s changed my personality.
“I used to be a very relaxed, calm guy, now I’ve got high anxiety, anger, depression, a very short fuse.
“I can be fine, sitting, watching TV and all of a sudden I can feel myself grinding my teeth for no reason whatsoever.
“You start to not be able to think or do or feel things you used to be able to and that makes you frustrated, and that makes you want to escape.
“Then you start doing things that make it even worse.”
Schulz played 194 games across 14 seasons in the AFL, earning four leading goalkicker awards at Port Adelaide after joining from Richmond at the end of 2009.
The South Australian-born Schulz has since taken on a role with AFL Tasmania in moving to Launceston, however finds everyday tasks difficult given his struggle with memory loss.
“Most days I open up my laptop and have to go into my sent messages to realise what I’d done the day before with work,” Schulz said.
“Even guys I work with, they’ll see my mood is some days down, other days a lot better.
“I’ll ring people and they’ll say ‘yeah mate, we actually spoke about this two days ago’.
“So I’ve had to tell work colleagues what’s happening because they’ve been going ‘what’s going on with this fella?’
“...I’d already accepted the fact I had permanent damage, I just didn’t know how much."
After learning the depths of the damage others in his position have been left with, Schulz is set on educating current footballers, stressing the need for players to consider their health immediately after head knocks.
“You’re in the heat of the moment,” he said.
“And you wouldn’t think about it (the head injury) after the game because you wouldn’t get any symptoms, have a headache or anything like that.
“I love the fact it’s a contact sport and the way Australians play their sport, and I love the fact how much work there’s been done in the concussion space the last five or six years.
“But after getting my report back, I realise how much more work there’s needed to be done.”
https://www.zerohanger.com/former-port-adelaide-and-richmond-forward-jay-schulz-lifts-lid-on-brain-damage-battle-124432/
-
40 concussions?
Wouldn't be much at Richmond then. He can sue PA
-
These stories are so sad. Imagine having to admit to yourself that the best thing you thought you'd done turned out to be the worst thing you could have done. Game over at 35-40. No way back. All the best to him.
-
These stories are so sad. Imagine having to admit to yourself that the best thing you thought you'd done turned out to be the worst thing you could have done. Game over at 35-40. No way back. All the best to him.
Good thing the AFL is moving against the knee dropping and arm lifting techniques seriously. I'm so glad they've done it. If we wanna get serious about head protection we have to remove all motivation for someone to draw high contact deliberately. Will take some time to adjust but I actually think this is the best rule change I've seen in a long time.
How do we diagnose 40 concussions in a bloke? I didn't think that many would be possible. Tell you what though boxers are surely in more trouble.
-
These stories are so sad. Imagine having to admit to yourself that the best thing you thought you'd done turned out to be the worst thing you could have done. Game over at 35-40. No way back. All the best to him.
Good thing the AFL is moving against the knee dropping and arm lifting techniques seriously. I'm so glad they've done it. If we wanna get serious about head protection we have to remove all motivation for someone to draw high contact deliberately. Will take some time to adjust but I actually think this is the best rule change I've seen in a long time.
How do we diagnose 40 concussions in a bloke? I didn't think that many would be possible. Tell you what though boxers are surely in more
Didn’t we change this rule a few years ago then stopped calling it? Let’s hope they stay this time
-
These stories are so sad. Imagine having to admit to yourself that the best thing you thought you'd done turned out to be the worst thing you could have done. Game over at 35-40. No way back. All the best to him.
Good thing the AFL is moving against the knee dropping and arm lifting techniques seriously. I'm so glad they've done it. If we wanna get serious about head protection we have to remove all motivation for someone to draw high contact deliberately. Will take some time to adjust but I actually think this is the best rule change I've seen in a long time.
How do we diagnose 40 concussions in a bloke? I didn't think that many would be possible. Tell you what though boxers are surely in more
Didn’t we change this rule a few years ago then stopped calling it? Let’s hope they stay this time
Head ducking only I think?
-
40 concussions?
Wouldn't be much at Richmond then. He can sue PA
plenty at Richmond. Was here 7 years and was just as courageous for us
-
40 concussions?
Wouldn't be much at Richmond then. He can sue PA
plenty at Richmond. Was here 7 years and was just as courageous for us
Was a long time ago in my memory but I thought he was mentally soft, probably homesick I guess.
Do you think he had 40 concussions? That's about 3/year for your entire career. Unless we are talking micro ones that are almost asymptomatic.
-
40 concussions?
Wouldn't be much at Richmond then. He can sue PA
plenty at Richmond. Was here 7 years and was just as courageous for us
Was a long time ago in my memory but I thought he was mentally soft, probably homesick I guess.
Do you think he had 40 concussions? That's about 3/year for your entire career. Unless we are talking micro ones that are almost asymptomatic.
I don't really know what mentally soft is, physically he was one of the hardest players of his generation.
Honestly I would have no idea if he had that many. I think it's possible. He's not Zantuck after a pay day, so I don't think he'd be saying it for the sake of it. Definitely would have taken some seriously big knocks to the head multiple times a game, could see it being possible for him to average a few concussions a year. Wouldn't really know but he does have some pretty bad brain damage at 37 years old
-
40 concussions?
Wouldn't be much at Richmond then. He can sue PA
plenty at Richmond. Was here 7 years and was just as courageous for us
Was a long time ago in my memory but I thought he was mentally soft, probably homesick I guess.
Do you think he had 40 concussions? That's about 3/year for your entire career. Unless we are talking micro ones that are almost asymptomatic.
I don't really know what mentally soft is, physically he was one of the hardest players of his generation.
Honestly I would have no idea if he had that many. I think it's possible. He's not Zantuck after a pay day, so I don't think he'd be saying it for the sake of it. Definitely would have taken some seriously big knocks to the head multiple times a game, could see it being possible for him to average a few concussions a year. Wouldn't really know but he does have some pretty bad brain damage at 37 years old
Maybe mentally soft isn't the right wording but I always thought he was inconsistent and his heart wasn't in it. He did a lot better at Port when he moved and from memory they weren't a great side either. We were definitely crap though.
Funny how the times change though as a forward of his ability these days would be worth throwing a small sink at. He was an exceptional shot for goal and great mark. I was happy for him when he became successful at Port. Might have knocked his head in a few marking attempts.
-
We can’t discount the possibility he may have been dropped a few times as a baby.
Some short memories here at Richmond. We hung onto a very very simple bloke because that one time he kicked 6 goals vs triple premiership Brisbane. :rollin
Some players or would be players like myself, enjoy the no fuss Hafey style footy. He was never the smartest tool in the toolbox that seemed to have no issues when Spud was coach but couldn’t hold down a permanent position when Wallet came over with his analytics and protractors and seismic testing. The chip chip keeping’s off brand was making poor Schulz feel inadequate which led him to the booze on occasion. :shh
It’s no coincidence he excelled under another simple coach when he first went to Port and had a few good years under Hinkley.
:rollin
-
We can’t discount the possibility he may have been dropped a few times as a baby.
May have run into a few walls when on the booze as well
-
We can’t discount the possibility he may have been dropped a few times as a baby.
Some short memories here at Richmond. We hung onto a very very simple bloke because that one time he kicked 6 goals vs triple premiership Brisbane. :rollin
Some players or would be players like myself, enjoy the no fuss Hafey style footy. He was never the smartest tool in the toolbox that seemed to have no issues when Spud was coach but couldn’t hold down a permanent position when Wallet came over with his analytics and protractors and seismic testing. The chip chip keeping’s off brand was making poor Schulz feel inadequate which led him to the booze on occasion. :shh
It’s no coincidence he excelled under another simple coach when he first went to Port and had a few good years under Hinkley.
:rollin
honestly though, why would you write such drivel? For someone who gets offended at the "Lords" name being used in vain so much that OE had to filter it, you sure do talk some trash about other people
-
We can’t discount the possibility he may have been dropped a few times as a baby.
Some short memories here at Richmond. We hung onto a very very simple bloke because that one time he kicked 6 goals vs triple premiership Brisbane. :rollin
Some players or would be players like myself, enjoy the no fuss Hafey style footy. He was never the smartest tool in the toolbox that seemed to have no issues when Spud was coach but couldn’t hold down a permanent position when Wallet came over with his analytics and protractors and seismic testing. The chip chip keeping’s off brand was making poor Schulz feel inadequate which led him to the booze on occasion. :shh
It’s no coincidence he excelled under another simple coach when he first went to Port and had a few good years under Hinkley.
:rollin
Glad you think it's funny and that the bloke deserves to be mocked
-
Resubmitting my argument that it's time to make the soft cap helmet mandatory in the same way the mouth guard once was.
Changes nothing about the game but protects the head a hell of a lot. Yes I know Brad Ebert was wearing one in the prelim and still got concussed. Yes I know the NFL argument that it makes players feel like the head is protected and they can therefore behave even more recklessly. For the first, good thing he had the soft cap on (could have been much worse), for the second, they need to keep coming down hard on players using the head to win free kicks.
I dunno, I don't think it's an overreaction. I think it's time. There will always be tragedies in contact sport (which AFL must remain) but this stuff is destroying families and lives and it's time to do something about it.
Living with CTE and knowing it will only get worse must be a living hell. Tucky made his decision. Before that he had distanced himself from his wife and kids because he couldn't trust himself anymore and didn't want to damage them too. He was living back at home with Mum and Dad because he couldn't live anywhere else. Frawley made his decision. Schulz? Well, that's the future in front of him.
Soft cap helmet the new mouth guard for mine.
-
We can’t discount the possibility he may have been dropped a few times as a baby.
Some short memories here at Richmond. We hung onto a very very simple bloke because that one time he kicked 6 goals vs triple premiership Brisbane. :rollin
Some players or would be players like myself, enjoy the no fuss Hafey style footy. He was never the smartest tool in the toolbox that seemed to have no issues when Spud was coach but couldn’t hold down a permanent position when Wallet came over with his analytics and protractors and seismic testing. The chip chip keeping’s off brand was making poor Schulz feel inadequate which led him to the booze on occasion. :shh
It’s no coincidence he excelled under another simple coach when he first went to Port and had a few good years under Hinkley.
:rollin
Glad you think it's funny and that the bloke deserves to be mocked
What are you saying WP? Facetiousness is banned on OER now?
I guess you don’t find anything in life funny?
Don’t watch reruns of Benny Hill or Kenny Everitt then or even last months Ricky Gervais special where he mocks pretty much everyone including Christians like me.
But I still thought it was hilarious. :rollin
honestly though, why would you write such drivel? For someone who gets offended at the "Lords" name being used in vain so much that OE had to filter it, you sure do talk some trash about other people
Yes as a Christian I am offended at people using my Gods name as a swear word. Imagine the uproar if Muhammad was used and if you want to know what would happen start using it as a swear word even just on this forum and see what happens. I dare you :lol
But that’s not even the only reason I took a stand. It was the inconsistency of the PC on this forum that made me put my foot down and ask the mods to intervene, prior to that I just spoke to people privately and most were kind enough to refrain after all we are all kinsman in the Richmond family.
BTW I’m not just a Christian, I’m an Aussie too. The comment above was supposed to be said in jest. What are you saying, Christian’s aren’t allowed to joke around? Or have an opinion? Or express concern? Or laugh when something is funny? Or take the pee out of someone like we used to do as Aussies once upon a time before the PC police started to lose their sense of humour?
-
Resubmitting my argument that it's time to make the soft cap helmet mandatory in the same way the mouth guard once was.
Changes nothing about the game but protects the head a hell of a lot. Yes I know Brad Ebert was wearing one in the prelim and still got concussed. Yes I know the NFL argument that it makes players feel like the head is protected and they can therefore behave even more recklessly. For the first, good thing he had the soft cap on (could have been much worse), for the second, they need to keep coming down hard on players using the head to win free kicks.
I dunno, I don't think it's an overreaction. I think it's time. There will always be tragedies in contact sport (which AFL must remain) but this stuff is destroying families and lives and it's time to do something about it.
Living with CTE and knowing it will only get worse must be a living hell. Tucky made his decision. Before that he had distanced himself from his wife and kids because he couldn't trust himself anymore and didn't want to damage them too. He was living back at home with Mum and Dad because he couldn't live anywhere else. Frawley made his decision. Schulz? Well, that's the future in front of him.
Soft cap helmet the new mouth guard for mine.
Good post and really interesting topic
Something will be done when the AFL is staring down the barrel of a billion dollar class action suit
-
Resubmitting my argument that it's time to make the soft cap helmet mandatory in the same way the mouth guard once was.
Changes nothing about the game but protects the head a hell of a lot. Yes I know Brad Ebert was wearing one in the prelim and still got concussed. Yes I know the NFL argument that it makes players feel like the head is protected and they can therefore behave even more recklessly. For the first, good thing he had the soft cap on (could have been much worse), for the second, they need to keep coming down hard on players using the head to win free kicks.
I dunno, I don't think it's an overreaction. I think it's time. There will always be tragedies in contact sport (which AFL must remain) but this stuff is destroying families and lives and it's time to do something about it.
Living with CTE and knowing it will only get worse must be a living hell. Tucky made his decision. Before that he had distanced himself from his wife and kids because he couldn't trust himself anymore and didn't want to damage them too. He was living back at home with Mum and Dad because he couldn't live anywhere else. Frawley made his decision. Schulz? Well, that's the future in front of him.
Soft cap helmet the new mouth guard for mine.
Good post and really interesting topic
Something will be done when the AFL is staring down the barrel of a billion dollar class action suit
Been thinking about soft helmets myself and not opposed to it. If we go ahead with it though I'd really like to see surnames on the jumpers since we won't be able to see their heads much. They trialled the names on jumpers year ago and I liked it.
Hard helmets an absolute no. Gridiron players literally weaponise them and use them to ram others player, going for the ribs etc. Just check the YouTube hit on Sav Rocca when he went to the NFL honestly that bloke should be jailed for what he did to Sav.
-
Resubmitting my argument that it's time to make the soft cap helmet mandatory in the same way the mouth guard once was.
Changes nothing about the game but protects the head a hell of a lot. Yes I know Brad Ebert was wearing one in the prelim and still got concussed. Yes I know the NFL argument that it makes players feel like the head is protected and they can therefore behave even more recklessly. For the first, good thing he had the soft cap on (could have been much worse), for the second, they need to keep coming down hard on players using the head to win free kicks.
I dunno, I don't think it's an overreaction. I think it's time. There will always be tragedies in contact sport (which AFL must remain) but this stuff is destroying families and lives and it's time to do something about it.
Living with CTE and knowing it will only get worse must be a living hell. Tucky made his decision. Before that he had distanced himself from his wife and kids because he couldn't trust himself anymore and didn't want to damage them too. He was living back at home with Mum and Dad because he couldn't live anywhere else. Frawley made his decision. Schulz? Well, that's the future in front of him.
Soft cap helmet the new mouth guard for mine.
Good post and really interesting topic
Something will be done when the AFL is staring down the barrel of a billion dollar class action suit
Been thinking about soft helmets myself and not opposed to it. If we go ahead with it though I'd really like to see surnames on the jumpers since we won't be able to see their heads much. They trialled the names on jumpers year ago and I liked it.
Hard helmets an absolute no. Gridiron players literally weaponise them and use them to ram others player, going for the ribs etc. Just check the YouTube hit on Sav Rocca when he went to the NFL honestly that bloke should be jailed for what he did to Sav.
Are there any studies which show the soft helmets are significantly effective in preventing head injury?
I thought I had read/heard that the hard helmets don’t do much and in fact may be worse as the skull bounces around in there upon impact. Although to be honest it may have just been a headline I read without looking much more into it.
-
Resubmitting my argument that it's time to make the soft cap helmet mandatory in the same way the mouth guard once was.
Changes nothing about the game but protects the head a hell of a lot. Yes I know Brad Ebert was wearing one in the prelim and still got concussed. Yes I know the NFL argument that it makes players feel like the head is protected and they can therefore behave even more recklessly. For the first, good thing he had the soft cap on (could have been much worse), for the second, they need to keep coming down hard on players using the head to win free kicks.
I dunno, I don't think it's an overreaction. I think it's time. There will always be tragedies in contact sport (which AFL must remain) but this stuff is destroying families and lives and it's time to do something about it.
Living with CTE and knowing it will only get worse must be a living hell. Tucky made his decision. Before that he had distanced himself from his wife and kids because he couldn't trust himself anymore and didn't want to damage them too. He was living back at home with Mum and Dad because he couldn't live anywhere else. Frawley made his decision. Schulz? Well, that's the future in front of him.
Soft cap helmet the new mouth guard for mine.
Good post and really interesting topic
Something will be done when the AFL is staring down the barrel of a billion dollar class action suit
Been thinking about soft helmets myself and not opposed to it. If we go ahead with it though I'd really like to see surnames on the jumpers since we won't be able to see their heads much. They trialled the names on jumpers year ago and I liked it.
Hard helmets an absolute no. Gridiron players literally weaponise them and use them to ram others player, going for the ribs etc. Just check the YouTube hit on Sav Rocca when he went to the NFL honestly that bloke should be jailed for what he did to Sav.
Are there any studies which show the soft helmets are significantly effective in preventing head injury?
I thought I had read/heard that the hard helmets don’t do much and in fact may be worse as the skull bounces around in there upon impact. Although to be honest it may have just been a headline I read without looking much more into it.
I don't know of any studies, but there would obviously be a problem with test methodology: you're gonna have to get real people with real heads encasing real brains and bash them about with soft caps on, then compare the results with a bunch of real test participants who have been bashed around without soft caps on, then compare the results through 25 years. That study might have a bit of a problem getting past the ethics board for funding.
The best you could do is conduct impact studies on a substitute material. Gut instinct tells me it can only help though, and could hardly make things any worse.
I agree completely that hard helmets are a no-go as mentioned.
-
Maybe we put soft caps on mice? :-\