Neil Balme announcement stuns AFL world after wife's 'horrible' revelation
AFL fans have sent their well-wishes to the legendary Richmond Tigers figure.
Iconic Richmond figure Neil Balme has opened up for the first time about his secret battle with epilepsy. Balme, who won two premierships with the Tigers before turning to a career in administration, told 7News on Sunday that he's been suffering epileptic brain seizures for three years.
The 71-year-old, who is regarded as a Richmond legend and still plays a big role in the club's football department, recalled waking up in an ambulance with no idea how he'd got there. “I woke up in the ambulance - I haven’t got a great recall of this - but I woke up and said, ‘Where the F am I?’” Balme said.
'HAVING A DIG': Daisy Pearce called out over brutal TV moment
'WON'T BE PLAYING': Nick Daicos' father makes massive prediction
Balme's wife Carmel said she woke up in the middle of the night to the sounds of her husband having a seizure. “This horrible noise like a koala just started happening and I looked to my left and it was Neil clinching his teeth and making the worst noise ever,” she said.
Balme admitted: “I genuinely can’t recall all that stuff. Anything could have happened. It is pretty scary, when you think about it. That’s the problem with epilepsy - I didn’t know anything about it."
Balme has lost about 20 kilograms since the first seizure. He has suffered two more since the first, but troublingly, doctors don't know what has caused the condition.
Footy legend Neil Balme is opening up on his secret battle with epileptic brain seizures. The 71-year-old is working as an ambassador for the Walk For Epilepsy fundraising campaign to help end the stigma of the condition. https://t.co/5zYfOfGqUb @NickMcCallum7 #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/NeAWm5BsA9
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) September 3, 2023
AFL world reacts to news about Neil Balme
The 71-year-old has begun working as an ambassador for the Walk For Epilepsy fundraising campaign. He hopes he can help end some of the stigmas around epilepsy.
“I was battling a little bit and even my wife and kids say ‘You were a bit insular, you weren’t yourself for a while’,” he said. “I believe everything you’ve got, you’re better off getting it out there, talking about it - you’re not going to fix it by denying it."
The Epilepsy Foundation of Australia said: "We are proud to announce former Richmond Tigers footy legend and two-time premiership winner Neil Balme as an ambassador for the Epilepsy Foundation." Fans also sent their well-wishes to the Richmond icon on social media.
Neil Balme, thanks for sharing your story of living with epilepsy and being a proud ambassador for the @epilepsy_fdn 💜💜💜 https://t.co/IXc9JxnivA
— Neha Dietitian (@NehaDietitian) September 3, 2023
He woke up in an ambulance and said “Where the ——am I ??!!”Legend Neil Balme opens up about his gruelling battle with epileptic brain seizures . The 71 year old “Hard Man Of Footy” wants to raise public awareness and end the stigma about the condition. 6pm #7NewsMelb
— NickMcCallum7 (@NickMcCallum7) September 3, 2023
It's been a great pleasure to work with Neil Balme on this story over recent weeks as he drives vital awareness of epilepsy through his own experience with the condition that affects 1 in 25 Aussies. Thanks @theheraldsun @epilepsy_fdn #epilepsy pic.twitter.com/HtRSNENxyj
— Andrew Holmes (@ajholmes75) September 3, 2023
Thanks to all sports people that open up about their health challenges and personal experiences ..it’s the best way to get the message out there.Shane Warne saved many lives after his death because so many men went and got themselves checked. Robert Dipierdomenico was also brave!
— jill marinelli (@jillmarinelli4) September 2, 2023
i didnt know Neil had Epilepsy,
— Greg (@det0x50) September 3, 2023
Sign up to our newsletter and score the biggest sport stories of the week.
