Rugby league immortal Wally Lewis has opened up about his battle with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Diagnosed with probable CTE in April 2023, Lewis told The Australian during Dementia Action Week that the stadium has always been “home.”
“I love it here. As a little boy, I dreamed about running onto this field one day,” the Queensland and Kangaroos great said.
Despite the devastating illness, which experts believe stems from repeated head knocks during his decades-long playing career, Lewis says he has no regrets about his time in rugby league.
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“I wouldn’t change a thing. I love this game, it’s given me everything and I’ll openly admit it,” he said.
The 65-year-old NRL icon said he wants his final resting place to be his “favourite place on earth”, the old Lang Park in Brisbane now known as Suncorp Stadium, as he continues navigating life with the degenerative brain condition.
Lewis also credited his wife, Lynda, for supporting him through the daily challenges of living with CTE, which often brings memory loss and uncertainty.
“Life’s pretty good. We don’t want sympathy, he said.
The couple’s love story began in 2021 after Lewis’ split from his wife of 36 years, Jacqui. Wally and Lynda married privately at Kangaroo Point in Brisbane on April 26.
While Lynda’s daughter Sydney attended, Lewis’ three adult children, including actor Lincoln Lewis were not believed to be present.
Lynda, a freelance writer and volunteer worker from Townsville, described her commitment to standing by her husband:
“My role is to make sure that he never feels judged, never feels criticised, and that he never feels embarrassed… because he is a perfectionist, and he’s a pretty hard marker on himself too,” she said.
“But we are a great team who live in the now and without fear.”
Since his diagnosis, Lynda has been by his side at medical appointments, footy functions, speaking engagements, and social events. She says humour has been one of their strongest tools in coping with the disease, whether Lewis jokes about “forgetting how to iron” or teasingly waves goodbye with “See you, Stephanie.”
Still, Lynda remains positive:
“Whatever it is he’s dealing with, we know that we can deal with it every day using our humour, and just getting on with life taking control of those things that we can take control of,” she said.
“He’s my best friend, my husband. I love him. I’m not his carer, I’m his partner.”