Tributes and condolences are flowing in for Ryan Matterson after the 31-year-old announced his immediate retirement from NRL on Sunday on medical grounds. Matterson hadn’t played at all this year due to ongoing concussion issues, and has now been forced to call it quits.
Matterson revealed on Sunday that the symptoms have “become harder to live with” and “continued to get worse”, and he’d been forced to make the “hardest decision of my life”.
Ryan Matterson (L) played State of Origin and won a premiership with the Roosters (R). Image: Getty
“The hardest part about chasing a dream is accepting when it’s time to let it go,” he wrote on social media. “Today, I’m announcing my medical retirement from rugby league.
“For many years, I’ve battled the effects of concussion and the symptoms that have come with it. I’ve tried to push through, manage it and keep doing what I love. But over time, the symptoms have become harder to live with and unfortunately, they’ve continued to get worse. Eventually, you have to make the hardest decision of your life and walk away from the thing you love, in order to protect the life you have ahead of you.
“Rugby league was my childhood dream. I was incredibly lucky and privileged to live it for more than a decade. I gave everything I had to this game, and it gave me memories, friendships, lessons and experiences I will carry forever.
“To my family, teammates, coaches, friends and everyone who has supported me, thank you. And to the fans, thank you for believing in me, supporting me and riding every high and low along the way. I’ll never be able to put into words what that has meant.
“This decision hasn’t come easy and it hurts. I’m incredibly excited for what comes next. I have a new purpose, new dreams and a new chapter to write. I have every intention of using all that professional sport has taught me to help other people chase their dreams and become the best version of themselves. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Ryan Matterson during a game for Parramatta in 2024. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
NRL world pays tribute to Ryan Matterson
Matterson finishes with 189 first-grade games across an 11-year career. He won a premiership with the Roosters in 2018 and played State of Origin in 2022. He played in another grand final with Parramatta in 2022 and also had stints at the Wests Tigers and Warrington Wolves.
One person commented on his post: “Congratulations on all your achievements. You are an inspiration to so many not only in the rugby league world but also to those you give your time to outside of football. Enjoy your retirement and your next challenge in life.”
Another wrote: “Health always comes first. Long after the footy career is done, this is what will be what matters the most, putting your health and your future first.”
While a third commented: “Sad to see this is the way your career ends but deeply appreciate all you have done for our club, God bless brother.”