Boyd Cordner sparks outpouring of support after sad admission about NRL retirement

Boyd Cordner has opened up in a heartbreaking revelation about his premature retirement from the NRL, revealing how the toll of multiple concussions affected him. The former Roosters, NSW and Australia captain hung up the boots in 2021 when he was just 29.

At the time he was captaining his club, state and country - but was forced to call it quits due to the effects of multiple concussions throughout his career. He played 183 NRL games across 11 seasons with the Roosters, as well as 16 State of Origin games for the Blues and 20 Test matches for Australia.

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Speaking on Channel 7 program 'SAS Australia' on Tuesday night, Cordner lifted the lid on the emotional toll of his heartbreaking decision to walk away from the game. "I still suffer symptoms now, especially with the constant headaches and the lightheadedness sometimes and the sensitivity to the light and noise," he revealed.

"It's disappointing. I've had countless injuries since I was a kid and late in my career went through a tough trot with concussion. Dealing with symptoms of concussion, I would have days where I would break down crying. It was all a bit too much for me.

"I was the captain of my club, state and country at that time and that was the toughest time mentally. At the end of the day it was my decision. I didn't know what the next head knock would bring. I had to put everything into perspective and work out my long term priorities. Memories are everything and they make up who you are as a person. Those memories are priceless."

Cordner also delved into the tragic death of his mother when he was four years old and how that affected him. “I had a great childhood, but it didn’t start out great,” he said as tears welled in his eyes.

“I lost my mum to breast cancer when I was four years old. At that age, it’s sort of ... I don’t have too many memories of her, which is probably the worst thing.

“When I was four, I’d run up to mum and jump on the bed when she wasn’t doing too well ... it’s not the greatest memory, but it’s something that I’ll hold onto forever. It’s not until you get a bit older and you look back on your childhood and you think, as good as it was, how different would it be if she was there guiding me or just there to be a mum.” In a separate piece to camera, Cordner added: “You’d change everything to go back and have mum back, but I’ve been very blessed to have the best, loving family that I could have asked for."

NRL fans rally around Boyd Cordner after emotional reveal

Cordner was forced to quit the reality TV show early after tearing his pec during one of the challenges, leaving him devastated. The show's doctor told him: “Be clear, this is me medically withdrawing you from the course. This isn’t you withdrawing from the course.”

The NRL hero's raw interview left viewers heartbroken for Cordner, while many praised him for being so open and humble. Journalist Paul Cochrane wrote on social media: "Boyd Cordner is such an impressive bloke ... was always an upstanding character to deal with when I was a journo covering his football career and it's great to see those traits on show to a broader national TV audience on SAS Australia."

Another fan wrote: "Boyd Cordner. What can you say. Just an incredible, genuine human being. And a blessing to the Roosters club."

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