Michael Lipman Biography                                                       Michael Lipman Wiki

Former England flanker Michael Lipman was diagnosed with mild dementia when he was just 40 years old. Red Rose’s ten-man flanker has been knocked out at least 30 times in his 13-year career.

Two rugby union concussion stories today.

1) Michael Lipman’s “mild dementia” at the age of 40, after suffering 30 knock-outs during his career. Alarming – and exactly why the high tackle framework and concussion protocols are so important. #sportslaw
https://t.co/SXGiAgaP3Y

— Rugby and the Law (@rugbyandthelaw) November 12, 2020

Former Bath co-captain Lipman

Former Bath co-captain Lipman left The Rec in 2009 when he refused to take a drug test and was banned for nine months.

In the same season, he struggled to play due to concussion issues.

And after his ban continued on the Australian squad, the Melbourne Rebels played.

Lipman later retired due to additional concussion issues and head shots.

Lipman, who now lives in Australia, told the Sydney Morning Herald that he is part of a culture where “unless I am completely incapable, I keep playing.”

After Lipman became forgetful and in a bad mood, he went to the doctor – with a bit of persuasion from Mrs. Frances.

Frances recalls, “Michael took a lot of cognitive tests and got a score of 77 out of 100.

“And I was like, ‘Sounds good …’

“I searched and it was really worrying because it was actually in the mild dementia stage.

“And I think, wow, that’s what we’re up against, and Michael is only 40 years old.”

While playing for Bath in 2009, medics advised Lipman to hang up his boots.

But the flanker continued to play for three years.

In 2012, after his retirement, Lipman revealed, “In the end, I’ve had so many hits to the head and so many concussions throughout my career.

“The last pair was the icing on the cake. I just had too many.

“Enough is enough, and when your body talks to you as it is now, you have to hear it and be reasonable.

“The hardest part of all is admitting that your time is up and accepting it.”

The news of Lipman’s diagnosis is likely to spark more fears among dementia charities and sports officials – the links between header play and the disease becoming increasingly important in football.

Recently, 1966 world champion Bobby Charlton was diagnosed with dementia.

Her brother Jack, who died in July at the age of 85, also suffered from the disease later in life.

Another member of the England team that won the World Cup, Nobby Stiles, has died at the age of 78 from the illness.