Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Kamara: I’m getting my brain dementia test too
Footie star urged by wife to go for scan
FOOTBALLER-TURNED TV star Chris Kamara has revealed he is having a brain scan next week to check for signs of dementia.
The former Leeds and Middlesbrough midfielder made the admission on yesterday’s edition of Steph’s Packed Lunch on Channel 4.
It came as part of a discussion about Gary Lineker, who himself admitted to dementia fears and committed to getting his own brain tested this summer.
Pundit Kammy, 63, said: “I’m going for a scan next Monday… we talked about it [dementia] on the programme, I went home and she [wife Anne] said: ‘You’re all blase? You think you’ve had a fabulous career, if it all ended tomorrow, that would be fine. What about the grandkids, what about me? Get checked, there may be something you can do’.” Kammy added: “It’s a precaution. It’s not part of the ageing process, like other people [when] you start to lose your memory. You think I’m getting old.
“You’re there but you’re not there if you get dementia, which is horrible.”
Steph asked Kammy whether he was worried about having the scan. He replied: “No. I’ve had a great life.”
Research has found professional players are 3.5 times more likely to get the illness than the average person.
Lineker, 60, called for heading to be banned in training at all levels. Kammy agreed that heading should be banned in training for younger players but said it should not be banned from the game.
He said: “To ban it from the game itself, it would ruin the game. It’s not just the heading of the ball, it’s the collision that’s the problem. Football wouldn’t be football without heading.”
Dementia has led to the deaths of four of England’s 1966 World Cup winning heroes – Nobby Stiles, Jack Charlton, Martin Peters and Ray Wilson – while Sir Bobby Charlton was diagnosed with the condition last year.
Last month former Manchester United defender Gordon Mcqueen, 68, became the latest ex-pro to be affected.
ROOTS
THE First and Deputy First Ministers have described their virtual St Patrick’s Day meeting with America’s new president and vice-president as “extremely beneficial”.
Arlene Foster and Michelle O’neill spoke with President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris as part of the annual programme of engagements with Washington DC.
Issues discussed included progress tackling the pandemic, and their support of the Good Friday Agreement as well as challenges and future opportunities.
President Biden and VP Harris were also invited to visit Northern Ireland at the first opportunity.
Mrs Foster said: “Our meeting with President Biden and Vice-president Harris was extremely valuable.
“It provided an opportunity to further strengthen our links with the US and look forward to our economic recovery, which will be a key focus for us as we emerge from the pandemic.
“Investment will be a crucial part of our rejuvenating our economy, and as our largest international investor, there is huge potential in our relationship with the United States.
“As First Minister, I am so proud of Northern Ireland and always welcome the opportunity to showcase our wonderful people and amazing places to the rest of the world.”
Meanwhile Deputy First Minister Ms O’neill also said she was honoured to meet President Biden and Vice-president Harris.
She added: “I am really encouraged by the support they have shown for us, and their genuine interest in our progress and our people.
“The consistent backing of the US administration has been crucial in moving our society forward, not least through their unwavering support of the Good Friday Agreement.
“We are now seeing evidence of an unacceptable direct rule approach being taken by the British government.”
But she warned: “This is circumventing and undermining the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and powersharing and cannot be ignored.
“I invited both President Biden and Vice-president Harris to visit the North when both sides of the Atlantic overcome the Covid-19 global health pandemic, and together recover and rebuild our societies and economies.”
Meanwhile Taoiseach Micheal Martin has thanked President Biden for his “unwavering support” for the Good Friday Agreement.
He said his support for the 1998 peace accord “meant a lot” during the Brexit negotiations.
Mr Biden again stated his support for the Good Friday Agreement in a virtual meeting with Mr Martin on St Patrick’s Day.
And the President, who has strong Irish roots, said: “You know my view, and the view of my predecessor of the Obama/ Biden administration, on the Good Friday Agreement, we strongly support them.
“We think it’s critically important they be maintained and the political and economic stability of Northern Ireland is very much in the interest of all of our people.”