‘Parasite’ Peter FitzSimons hits back at footballer James Graham over concussion debate – ‘those who sounded the alarm were definitely right’

The war of words between ‘parasite’ journalist Peter FitzSimons and footy identity James Graham has continued – with the veteran scribe sticking to his comments on concussions in sport.

Earlier this week – Graham – who has previously said he suffered a concussion at least 100 times during his rugby league career – called his bitter rival a ‘parasite’ after FitzSimons called out the Sydney Roosters captain , James Tedesco, to retire after another blow to the head.

On Saturday, FitzSimons responded to Graham’s attack by reinforcing his opinion, saying his main goal is to make contact sports such as rugby league safer in the long term.

“I’m writing something based on concussions in sport, saying it’s serious and not to be taken lightly,” FitzSimons wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald.

“The footballers (Graham) say it’s their brains and they’ll damage them as much as they want.”

Earlier this week, James Graham branded his bitter rival a “parasite” after Peter FitzSimons called for Roosters captain James Tedesco to retire following another blow to the head.

James Graham (pictured, playing for the Dragons) previously said he had suffered a concussion at least 100 times during his rugby league career and feared he had CTE in his brain which cannot be diagnosed only after death.

“What his (Graham’s) overall position is on the concussion, I have no idea.

“Certainly, he was originally the example of saying everything was nothing (during his career). But then, after his retirement, he suddenly started saying that it was serious after all.

FitzSimons – a former Wallaby before carving out a career in media – wasn’t done yet, speaking out to Graham calling him a “parasite” on his podcast The Bye Round.

“As a parasite, I must be a very small parasite, and quite irrelevant, because writing about concussions these days – as serious as I am in this field – would not amount to more than half a percent of my production, if that, he said.

“Tedesco had three concussions in his first decade of playing. He had seven in the last three years. This may not alarm James Graham, but it seriously concerns the concussion specialists I have consulted.

“All those who have sounded the alarm on this issue (concussions) are definitely right… while all those who have decried and denied it may have it on their conscience forever.”

“I think he (Graham) works somewhere as a commentator (Triple M) but, very unfortunately also, he only seems to make the headlines by ranting about a concussion… and usually at me.

When Peter FitzSimons wrote that it was time for Roosters captain James Tedesco to hang up his boots after being knocked out (pictured) against the Bulldogs, James Graham didn’t hesitate on his podcast The Bye Round.

“This will no doubt generate another rant from James. So be it. This will at least help him stay relevant as a commentator, I suppose.

“What I honestly feel (for Graham) is pity, mixed with growing concern at his increasingly erratic nature.

“Personally, if I had to hang my journalistic cap on one of the jobs I have done over the years, it is advancing the concussion issue that I am most proud of. »

FitzSimons also highlighted Mario Fenech and Steve Mortimer, former rugby league gladiators battling serious health problems decades after retiring from the sport.

Graham and FitzSimons have been feuding for years, with the two men first clashing in 2019 when the longtime Fairfax writer questioned the retired prop saying he was willing to “accept” the risk of head blows in professional rugby league.

In 2022, Graham later accused FitzSimons of ambushing and exposing him during a concussion seminar.