Dean Windass diagnosed with dementia as 55-year-old former Hull City and Bradford forward announces his diagnosis.
Dean Windass has been diagnosed with dementia at the age of 55, it has been revealed.
Despite having stage two of the illness, the former Bradford City and Hull player, who scored the goal that sent Hull to the Premier League in 2008, joked on social media that he was “glad they found a brain.”
In an interview with BBC Breakfast, former Manchester United defender David May disclosed the news. May was on the show to talk about the link between football and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. A degenerative disease that can result in dementia and is brought on by repeated head trauma.
May claimed that Windass had granted him permission to disclose the diagnosis, which Windass verified on social media. Windass used a funny tone when addressing several encouraging messages. Additionally, he shared a video of himself miming “Rhinestone Cowboy” by Glen Campbell, captioning it. “Just got to keep smiling and trying to help people.”
Organisations dedicated to helping those with neurodegenerative diseases praised Windass’s choice to make his diagnosis public. According to Dementia UK.
“By choosing to speak openly and publicly about his diagnosis, he will undoubtedly encourage others to seek support if they are concerned about symptoms they may be experiencing.”
Alzheimer’s UK said “We cannot understate the impact of people in the public eye sharing their personal stories of the condition, and we are so grateful to Dean for speaking out. It’s a deeply personal thing but it really helps shine a light on dementia – a condition that one in three people born today will develop in their lifetime.”
Windass gained notoriety when playing for Bradford City. They defied the odds to win promotion to the Premier League in the 1998–1999 season. He then went on to become the team’s highest scorer in the top division. When Windass returned to his childhood team, Hull, he became their talisman and helped them earn a Premier League spot in 2008. The team’s debut season in the top division—playing a significant role in yet another football miracle.
As the game tries to address the problem. He becomes the most recent well-known former player to be diagnosed with dementia.