Former athletes across rugby, NFL, and combat sports are living with the neurological consequences of repetitive head trauma. QED HIA exists to ensure the next generation of athletes has evidence-based protection — not just observation.
Click any legend to read their story. These are real athletes, real diagnoses, and real consequences of a system that relied on observation alone.
"I won the World Cup in 2003. I cannot remember it. I am 42 years old. I am one of hundreds."
Steve Thompson won the Rugby World Cup with England in 2003. By 2020, he had been diagnosed with early-onset dementia and CTE-related symptoms at age 42. He cannot recall playing in the final.
The athletes above played in an era where "observation" was the only protocol. QED HIA introduces objective measurement, immediate pitch-side intervention, and longitudinal tracking — so the next generation has evidence-based protection from day one.
Co-founded by Alix Popham and others, Head for Change supports former athletes living with neurological conditions linked to sport. QED HIA aligns with their mission — evidence over assumption, measurement over observation.
Visit Head for ChangeCTE is a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by repeated head trauma. It can only be definitively diagnosed post-mortem. Symptoms include memory loss, depression, aggression, and dementia. Boston University has now confirmed CTE in over 300 former NFL players.
Boston University CTE CenterRegister your child, your club, or your career with QED HIA. Start building a Digital Brain Passport™ that travels with you — not the club.