‘Parasite’ Peter FitzSimons responds to footballer James Graham’s identity over concussion debate: ‘those who raised alarms have been definitively proven right’

The war of words between ‘parasitic’ journalist Peter FitzSimons and footballer James Graham has continued, with the veteran scribe standing by his comments on concussions in sport.

Earlier this week Graham, who had previously stated he suffered a concussion at least 100 times in his rugby league career, branded his bitter rival a “parasite” after FitzSimons called for the Sydney captain Roosters, James Tedesco, will retire after another blow to the head.

On Saturday, FitzSimons responded to Graham’s attack by reinforcing his opinion, stating that his main goal is to make contact sports like rugby league safer in the long term.

“I’m writing something based on concussion in sport, saying it’s serious and shouldn’t be trifled with,” FitzSimons wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald.

‘The football players [Graham] They rant that these are their brains and they will damage them as much as they want.

Earlier this week, James Graham branded his bitter rival a “parasite” after Peter FitzSimons asked Roosters captain James Tedesco to retire following another blow to the head.

James Graham (pictured, playing for the Dragons) has previously stated that he suffered concussions at least 100 times during his rugby league career and fears he has CTE in the brain, which can only be diagnosed after death.

‘So its [Graham’s] The general position is on concussion, I have no idea.

“Indeed, he was originally the example of saying that everything was nothing.” [during his career]. But then after he retired, he suddenly went on to say that it was serious after all.

FitzSimons, a former Wallaby before carving out a career in the media, wasn’t done yet, addressing Graham as a “parasite” on his The Bye Round Podcast.

“As a parasite I must be a very small one, and quite irrelevant, since writing about concussions today (as serious as it is) wouldn’t represent more than half a percent of my output, if that,” he said.

‘Tedesco suffered three concussions in his first decade as a player. He has had seven in the last three years. That may not alarm James Graham, but it seriously alarms the concussion specialists I’ve consulted.

‘All those who raised the alarm on this issue [concussion] they have been definitively proven right… while all those who condemned and denied him may have him on their conscience forever.

‘I think he [Graham] is working somewhere as a commentator [Triple M] of some sort but, also very sadly, he only seems to make headlines when he rants about a concussion… and usually at me.

When Peter FitzSimons wrote that it was time for Roosters captain James Tedesco to hang up his boots after being knocked out (pictured) against the Bulldogs, James Graham didn’t hold back on his The Bye Round podcast.

‘This will no doubt lead to another rant from James. So be it. I guess it will at least help keep him relevant as a commentator.

‘What I really feel [for Graham] It’s pity, mixed with a growing concern for his increasingly erratic nature.

“Personally, if I were to hang my journalism hat on any of the work I’ve done over the years, it would be pushing the concussion issue that I’m most proud of.”

FitzSimons also pointed to players such as Mario Fenech and Steve Mortimer, who are now battling serious health problems decades after retiring from the sport.

Graham and FitzSimons have been feuding for years, with the pair first clashing in 2019 when the Fairfax writer questioned the retired prop claiming he was willing to “accept” the risk of blows to the head as part and parcel of the league. professional rugby.

In 2022, Graham accused FitzSimons of ambushing him and parading him at a concussion seminar.