‘heading Football Likely to Have Contributed to Mcqueen’s Brain Disease’

Gordon McQueen’s Legacy: A Tragic Link Between Heading and Brain Disease

Former Scotland and Manchester United footballer Gordon McQueen’s family has revealed the tragic story behind his death, which was determined by an inquest to be a result of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) linked to repeated heading during his career. The inquest, held on Monday in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, concluded that McQueen died from pneumonia caused by CTE and vascular dementia.

McQueen’s Final Struggle

Gordon’s daughters, Hayley and Anna, spoke about their father’s declining health, which began after his 60th birthday. “Dad absolutely loved everything about football,” Hayley said, “but ultimately, it took him in the end.” She described how her father’s personality changed significantly, with symptoms of cognitive decline and neuro-behaviour change that could not be explained by another condition.

Football and Brain Health: A Growing Concern

The McQueen case adds to a growing body of evidence linking heading in football with brain diseases. In 2019, the Football Association (FA) and Professional Footballers’ Association jointly funded the ‘Field’ study which found that former players were three and a half times more likely to die from neurodegenerative diseases than the general population.

Professor Willie Stewart, a consultant neuropathologist who examined McQueen’s brain posthumously, confirmed that CTE contributed significantly to his death. “The only available causal evidence was exposure to repeated impacts,” he stated. This finding aligns with ongoing studies highlighting the risks associated with heading footballs in youth and professional players alike.

Football Authorities’ Response

The FA has taken steps to reduce the risk of brain injuries, including a trial ban on deliberate heading for under-12 players in 2022. However, there are concerns about the implementation of these guidelines. Judith Gates, founder of Heafe Football and widow of Bill Gates, another former footballer who died with CTE, emphasized that coaches need more support to adhere to these rules.

Gates told BBC Sport, “We would like to make it a national campaign for heading to be reduced in training.” She added that the guidelines are not widely known, even among professional clubs. “This begins in youth, so it’s young people whose brains we need to be caring for,” Gates said.

Hayley McQueen echoed her sister’s concerns: “There are guidelines against heading in youth football and it needs to be implemented more because it quite clearly isn’t.” She believes that football authorities should also consider legislative changes and increased education about the risks of heading.

Call for Action

The McQueens’ daughters believe that football authorities must take bolder steps to address this issue. “They need help from footballing authorities, but there also potentially needs to be changes to legislation and education,” Hayley stated. Anna added, “Football is a beautiful sport but it doesn’t need to take people’s lives.”

In response, the FA spokesperson said, “We have introduced proactive precautionary steps to review and address potential risk factors while ongoing research continues.” The Department of Culture, Media and Sport also acknowledged its role in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all participants.

The McQueen case serves as a stark reminder that the link between heading footballs and brain diseases is real. As more evidence emerges, the pressure on football authorities to take decisive action will likely increase, with the hope that future generations can enjoy the game without the fear of debilitating brain injuries.