Legendary footy hard man Mark Carroll breaks down in tears as he makes emotional confession about what he put his family through when he was playing

Mark Carroll is one of the hardest men to play in the hardest era of the NRL, but making his acting debut has made him realise the anguish he put his family through when he was one of the game’s most feared stars.

Carroll played 185 games from 1987 to 1999 for teams including the Penrith Panthers, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Manly Sea Eagles.

He has been diagnosed with likely having chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated head injuries

It can cause memory loss, aggression, depression and dementia, with symptoms typically appearing years after the injuries are suffered. 

Carroll, known for his uncompromising play, revealed his battle with CTE symptoms such as memory loss, mood swings, anxiety and depression.  He is now advocating for better head injury management and support for current and former players. 

NRL hard man Mark Carroll (pictured with his daughter Indi and wife Monique) has made his acting debut on the ABC TV show Plum

Carroll has revealed the show opened his eyes to what he put his family through during his playing days

Carroll, pictured with his son Joshua, is suffering from symptoms of the brain disease CTE

The NRL hard man, affectionately known as ‘Spudd’, has two children to his wife Monique, Indi and Joshua.

He recently watched the ABC television show Plum, an Australian dark comedy series that follows fictional former rugby league star Peter ‘The Plum’ Lum as he navigates life after a CTE diagnosis that triggers disturbing and surreal symptoms.

Created and written by Brendan Cowell, the show explores themes of identity, masculinity, and the impact of head trauma on mental health.

Carroll has made his acting debut in the show as one of Lum’s Kangaroos teammates.

Now he has revealed that watching the finished product invoked some powerful emotions about what he had put his family through.  

‘I’m a crier and I shed a tear,’ he told SEN radio. 

‘I’m thinking to myself, “I put my family through a lot of crap”, but I don’t mean to. 

‘Thank god I’m not a drinker… Plum drinks a lot. Hopefully we can save a few people out there.’ 

Legendary footy players Wally Lewis, Steve Mortimer and Mario Fenech have admitted to suffering from the symptoms of CTE, while champion player and coach Paul Green died after battling the deadly brain disease. 

The footy hard man suffered numerous concussions from head knocks during his playing days

The ABC show Plum explores the impacts of concussions on footy players and their loved ones

Carroll has previously  expressed his desire to meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to discuss implementing Medicare changes that would cover the $900 PET scan needed to help diagnose Australians affected by CTE. 

‘A lot of these people don’t have money, $900 is a lot of money. Get it passed by Medicare and just tick the box, mine came back with a massive cross but then you take it on,’ he said.

‘I’ve lost a couple of people due to suicide the great Paul Green passed away… there had to be demons in his head going on and on and on because you just don’t go and take your life the next day it’s about planning.

‘I’ve had squirrels in my head as well and thank God the ones I had on my good side didn’t cause me to take my life.

‘I’m pleading to the NRL to step forward and take the next hit up in rugby league terms but also I’m calling out the government, Albanese a mad Souths man, seriously it’s about mental health, we’ve got to start somewhere.’

For help in a crisis call 000. If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact Lifeline 13 11 14, or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.