Melbourne Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen is just 26 years old and has been to hell and back twice to return to the footy field – but he would give it all away in a moment if he receives some dreaded medical advice.
The NRL entertainer has been robbed of valuable football over the past two seasons, first suffering a shattered patella in 2022 and then enduring a severe compound fracture in the 2023 finals to put his career in jeopardy.
He is back to full fitness and ready to help the Storm push for a fourth NRL premiership, but there is another medical issue that nags at the enigmatic fullback – concussion.
Before his major injuries, Papenhuyzen sat out 10 rounds because of the lingering impacts of concussion after he was ironed out in Magic Round by St George Illawarra’s Tyrell Fuimaono.
Papenhuyzen reacts after getting injured during the NRL qualifying final between the Brisbane Broncos and the Melbourne Storm
The Storm fullback had to work tirelessly to return from a shattered kneecap, with this X-ray showing the extent of the damage
Papenhuyzen’s career has been punctuated by injury setbacks including concussion and serious leg injuries
Speaking on The Howie Games podcast with media personality Mark Howard, Papenhuyzen has made some stunning revelations about his future in the game because of that stint on the sidelines and the impact of concussion.
In recent years, the NRL has lost the likes of Paul Green and Bulldogs great Steve Folkes to the effects of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) related to on-field concussions.
Former players including Wally Lewis, Mark ‘Spudd’ Carroll and Robbie O’Davis have either been diagnosed with suspected CTE or have shown symptoms.
In the podcast, Howard asked Papenhuyzen: ‘Does it concern you what this [CTE] could potentially do to you?’
‘Yeah… well, my grandad passed away with dementia,’ the Storm fullback said.
‘I enjoy what I do now, I get a really big kick out of the platform I have to be able to share my messages, to be able to share my stories and be on TV every week to deliver that,’
‘But at the same time I guess [developing CTE], it’s a possibility.
‘I try to do things off the field a little bit differently to reduce the risk of that happening. I don’t drink too much, I don’t do drugs.
‘I know that there is probably a correlation between that and CTE as well.’
Papenhuyzen won the Clive Churchill Medal during the 2020 grand final against Penrith but has struggled to stay on the park ever since
It was then that Papenhuyzen dropped the bombshell that he would walk away from rugby league if there was solid medical advice to suggest he was at risk of developing CTE.
‘What do you sacrifice to have that? I have a great life right now. I feel like I have set myself up well and hopefully there is a cure in the future that can fix it up,’ he said.
‘If it gets to a stage where I feel like it is damaging, I’d happily step away. I’ve got bigger goals in life, and I’d obviously like to raise a family one day.
‘I’d like to be able to go down the grounds and play cricket with the young boy or young girl, whoever it is.
‘And yeah, I’ve got aspirations to be more than a footy player.
So I think it ever gets to a stage where I feel like I’m, I guess, not ready to play anymore. I’ll step away.
‘And whether that’s with the head or that’s with the body, that’s just one of those things that I feel you just have to be OK with.’
The Storm fullback is aware that high shots could put him at risk of CTE in the future
Papenhuyzen has left no stone unturned in his recovery from a compound fracture that threatened his career
The Melbourne Storm star even funded his own trip to the United States to assist with his rehab and recovery
Papenhuyzen said that decision had been influenced by NRL players who had recently retired from the sport prematurely in a bid to protect themselves from developing CTE.
Former Sydney Roosters captain Boyd Cordner was hailed as a role model for his decision to walk away from rugby league in 2021 after repeated concussions when he was just 29 years old.
Roosters teammate Keegan Hipgrave announced his immediate retirement from rugby league on 12 November 2021 when he was just 24.
Nathan Friend became the third Chook to retire in the same season after an estimated 20 concussions throughout his career.
Sydney Roosters captain Boyd Cordner tearfully retired from the NRL aged 29 after a run of concussions (pictured)
Cowboys premiership winner Lachlan Coote (right) was also forced to retire because of head knocks suffered during his footy career
Former North Queensland Cowboys premiership-winning fullback Lachlan Coote retired with immediate effect mid-season in 2023 after a series of concussions over the previous two seasons.
And Eels forward Andrew Davey also retired in October, 2023 aged just 31 after advice from medical experts.
‘Unfortunately there’s people that have had to step away from the game and massive respect to them because I know how hard that would be,’ Papenhuyzen said.
‘To give up your whole life, really, what you have known for the past 30 years for some, to step into a new arena to better your body, it’s a massive sacrifice and a lot to give away.
‘But I guess if you’ve got goals and aspirations to do things in the future and you feel that is going to be at a detriment to you, then I think it’s a massive move and something that people will think a lot more seriously about now.’
