Rugby league legend Wally Lewis has spoken candidly about how his new wife Lynda Adams is helping him cope with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative condition linked to repeated head knocks. The 65-year-old, known as 'The King', married Lynda last month in Brisbane, but the ceremony was boycotted by his three children from his first marriage.
Lewis, who was diagnosed with probable CTE in 2023, revealed the embarrassment of repeatedly asking his wife the same questions. 'The amount of times where I've seen this expression on her face... I know that I've obviously said something or said it wrong,' he told The Howie Games podcast. 'I'll say to her "Have I already said that?" And she'll say it doesn't matter. And I'll say how many times have I said it, and she'll say two, three, four, five times.'
The NRL Immortal, who played 31 matches for Queensland and won eight man-of-the-match awards, said he is no longer bothered by the repetition. 'The embarrassment of being repetitive is not something I'm looking for, but to be honest I'm kind of past that now. I don't worry about the embarrassment. I apologise and get on with life.'
Lewis recalled a severe concussion during his playing days when he wet himself after a tackle. 'I went to see him [the doctor] the next day and he said "Do you remember when I walked you from the field?"' Lewis said. 'He said you were pissing your pants. We had these white shorts on and he said he could see the urine. And he said "I pushed you to the ground because there was a camera coming up."'
Lewis sought professional help after the suicide of former Cowboys coach Paul Green in 2022. His first symptoms included forgetfulness and confusion. 'I was a little bit out of sorts, and then the confusion came, and then the denial,' he said in a 2024 interview.
