Footy star and State of Origin hero is diagnosed with debilitating motor neurone disease aged 38

  • Queensland Rugby League broke the tragic news on its website on Thursday
  • Born in Mt Isa in west Queensland, the footy hero played 187 NRL games
  • Motor neuron disease is a debilitating disease that damages the nervous system

By Charlotte Karp For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 05:25 GMT, 5 March 2020 | Updated: 09:59 GMT, 5 March 2020

Former State of Origin star Carl Webb, 38, has been diagnosed with early-onset motor neurone disease

Former State of Origin star Carl Webb, 38, has been diagnosed with early-onset motor neurone disease

Former State of Origin star Carl Webb, 38, has been diagnosed with early-onset motor neurone disease.  

Queensland Rugby League broke the tragic news on its website on Thursday.

Born in Mt Isa in west Queensland, the footy hero played 187 NRL games for the Brisbane Broncos, Queensland Cowboys and Parramatta Eels.

Motor neuron disease is a rare condition that damages the nervous system.

Gorden Tallis used to play for Brisbane and Queensland with Webb called him a ‘champion bloke’. 

‘He was so powerful and explosive as a player, he was the strongest guy I’ve ever seen in the gym,’ he told Fox Sports.

‘Then he went to the Cowboys it was totally different, he really hit his straps there.

‘He was so explosive, but more importantly he’s a really good fella, he’s a champion bloke. If you played with him, you’d love him.’

Webb had an 11-year career and also played for the Indigenous All Stars.

Friends and fans wrote messages of support on Twitter. 

Carl Webb of the Cowboys is tackled by Steve Price of the Warriors during the round 23 NRL match between the Warriors and the North Queensland Cowboys in 2006

Carl Webb of the Cowboys is tackled by Steve Price of the Warriors during the round 23 NRL match between the Warriors and the North Queensland Cowboys in 2006

Carl Webb of the Cowboys is tackled by Steve Price of the Warriors during the round 23 NRL match between the Warriors and the North Queensland Cowboys in 2006

‘Our thoughts are with Carl,’ Queensland Maroons wrote.

‘Thinking of you mate. Keep fighting,’ radio presenter Darryl Brohman said.

‘Sad to hear,’ a fan replied.  

South African rugby union player Joost van der Westhuizen died from the degenerative disease last year in 2017.

AFL player Neale Daniher and British league player Rob Burrow are also battling with the condition.

Webb married Renee Marsterson in 2008. 

Carl Webb tussles with Luke Bailey after a high tackle in the first half of Sate of Origin 1 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane in 2005

Carl Webb tussles with Luke Bailey after a high tackle in the first half of Sate of Origin 1 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane in 2005

Carl Webb tussles with Luke Bailey after a high tackle in the first half of Sate of Origin 1 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane in 2005

MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE

Motor Neuron Disease, or MND, is ‘an uncommon condition that affects the brain and nerves. It causes weakness that gets worse over time.

The weakness is caused by the deterioration of upper motor neurons that travel from the brain down the spinal cord, and lower motor neurons that spread out to the face, throat and limbs.

Early MND symptoms include:

– Weakness in the ankle or leg, which may manifest itself with trips or difficulty ascending stairs, and a weakness in the ability to grip things.

– Slurred speech is an early symptom and may later worsen to include difficulty swallowing food.

– Muscle cramps or twitches are also a symptom, as is weight loss due to leg and arm muscles growing thinner over time. 

Source: Brain Foundation Australia 

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