During a rugby league test match between New Zealand and Australia in 1991 at Olympic Park in Melbourne, the New Zealand (Kiwi) forward, Dean Lonergan suffered a concussion with convulsions and twitching on the field shortly after the head injury. The shaking entered folklore being known as the ‘Lonergan Shuffle‘ which allegedly became a night club dance move.
YouTube video on the incident: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-NQq611x8k
Lonergan returned to play 10 minutes after the injury:
“As my head cleared I believe I told Bob Bailey that I was going back on. I don’t think I was any good, but I was determined to be out there.”
Under current policies, guidelines, and the related evidence, such a return to play would not be permitted today. At that time, rugby league was considered a hard game played by ‘hard men‘. Since then attitudes have changed.
New Zealand went on to win the game, but Lonergan can not remember most of the game: “I remember a little bit of the second.”
Dean Lonergan went on to have a successful career as an events promoter.
External Links:
The Knock-on Effect: Laid low, twitching, but back as a hero (NZ Herald)
Related Topics:
What has concussion to do with Podiatry?
Concussion in Sport
Traumatic Brain / Head Injury
Neurological Emergencies
Sport Concussion Assessment Tool
Concussion related Press Releases
External Links:
Concussion and the lower limb and as a public health issue (Podiatry Arena)
Concussion Books:
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