Families of five former professional footballers are spearheading a campaign to mitigate the risks of brain disease associated with heading the ball, urging the government to implement a new five-point plan focused on player safety and education.
Dr. Judith Gates, founder and trustee of the Head Safe Football charity and widow of former Middlesbrough player Bill Gates, is leading the initiative. Bill Gates died in 2023 after living with a brain disease. The campaign also includes the families of Nobby Stiles, Gordon McQueen, Willie Maddren, and Hugh McIlmoyle, all of whom have experienced or witnessed the effects of sport-related brain diseases, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
The group aims to shift the focus from past tragedies to proactive measures for current and future players. They plan to launch a petition on Wednesday, calling on the government to take action in five key areas: debating the issue in Parliament, promoting a national slogan "Think Head Safe: reduce heading in training," recognizing CTE from repetitive head impacts as a public health concern, working with sporting bodies to reduce heading in training through policy and coach education, and integrating brain-health education into teacher training and physical education programs.
"We cannot save players who already have probable CTE," Gates stated. "But we can, and must, protect the players who are playing today – and those who will play tomorrow." She highlighted the increasing scientific evidence linking professional and amateur football to CTE, noting its presence in young people and the widespread participation in the sport with over five million children and ten million adults playing football in England.
The campaign has garnered support from former players and their families, including Gary Pallister, a former defender for Middlesbrough, Manchester United, and England, and Tina White, widow of Goff White, identified as the first non-League player diagnosed with CTE.
Middlesbrough's Bill Gates, pictured tackling George Best in 1970, died in 2023 after living with brain disease. The family of Nobby Stiles (left) are among those supporting the petition.