France rugby legend Sebastien Chabal ‘can’t remember a single second’ of his career in candid memory loss interview
RUGBY legend Sebastien Chabal admits he can't remember a "single second" of his illustrious career.
The Frenchman played 62 times for Les Bleus but has suffered from memory loss since hanging up his boots in 2014.
Chabal, 47, enjoyed spells with Bourgoin, Sale Sharks, Racing Metro and Lyon.
He was known by French fans as l'Homme des Cavernes - or The Caveman - due to his long locks and huge beard.
The lock was renowned for his ferocious tackling and hardman persona on the field.
But since leaving rugby behind, Chabal has been plagued by medical issues.
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He revealed to YouTube show : "I don't remember a single second of a rugby match I've played.
"And I don't remember a single one of the 62 Marseillaises [France's national anthem] I've experienced."
Chabal also revealed he can't remember the birth of his daughter Lily-Rose.
He continued: "I don't talk about it, because it's just my business, but there are quite a few actions that are carried out by former players, in teams, because we've taken a hit on the helmet.
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"There's the pate that hit the marrow.
"I don't remember anything. Sometimes I say to my wife, "Actually, I wasn't the one who played rugby"."
Chabal did not mention concussion during the interview and confirmed he has not consulted a neurologist.
He added: "Why bother? My memory won't return.
"I'm rediscovering my life. Before playing rugby, I never realised that I don't remember anything."
Former England star Steve Thompson recently revealed he had been diagnosed with early-onset dementia.
It comes as the sport continues to grapple with the long-term issues potentially caused by violent collisions and concussions.
Thompson won the World Cup with the Red Rose in 2003.
But he admitted in 2023 that he didn't remember lifting the trophy Down Under.
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Speaking to ex-teammate Phil Vickery, he said: "It's weird. There's nothing there. I can't even remember being in Australia.
"The whole lot is gone. And there's nothing there. My life, everything around then, is just not there."
