“I was lying in a dark room for weeks.” A devastating way to end a 19-year career. But Daniel Parslow has been using his misfortune to help others.
The former York City and Cheltenham Town centre back has been helping raise awareness for concussion in sport following a “blow could’ve been fatal” and ultimately ended his career.
Parslow’s injury is a stark reminder of just how bad concussion can be.
After suffering a blow to the head in a match against Hereford in 2018, Daniel “felt okay, passed all tests and was deemed fit enough to carry on.” But wasn’t aware he was in a bad way until he “stumbled off the pitch” at half time.
Weeks of “sickness, dizziness and blurred vision” followed as Daniel began his long road to recovery, and he is now urging protocols in football to change. “Football clubs follow protocols to try keep players as safe as possible, but the protocols need changing.”
The Welshman commended the protocols in Rugby and NFL and is urging football to follow in their footsteps, “We should look at NFL and Rugby Union rules to thoroughly assess symptoms. I’ve since learnt that another blow to the head could’ve been fatal. I was very lucky not to pick up another blow.”
The now 35-year-old “Struggled to do everyday tasks” for weeks following his collision and is now an avid campaigner for Brain trauma group Headway. “I reached out to headway after my injury and they helped me out a lot.” “I thought it would be a nice gesture to help them out, if my story can help and improve protocols then that can only be a good thing. I don’t have the voice of top players but if my story can help add 5% knowledge about concussion then it will be worth it.”
A product of the Cardiff City Academy, he went onto become one of non-leagues most well-respected players during a career that saw him earn two promotions alongside two memorable FA Trophy wins at Wembley.
“I felt I could’ve competed at that level for a few more years.” Said Parslow who was devastated about his early retirement, “Not retiring on my own terms was hard, but not knowing that was my last game was even harder.”
“I was very lucky to have a professional career that lasted 19 years, and although it ended in a disappointing way, I only look back with fond-memories.”
Headway Brain Injury support Chief Executive Peter McCabe told Sky Sports;
"We think that having somebody independent at the club, whose job it is to focus entirely on the health and wellbeing of the player, would be really important and those simple measures would make a big difference."
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