Former Adelaide and Collingwood AFL star Paul Seedsman, 33, has opened up in a raw, emotional interview about the devastating aftermath of a concussion that ended his career in 2023—and continues to ravage his life nearly four years later.
Once a rising talent who earned All-Australian squad honors, Seedsman now faces daily battles with crippling symptoms, sleep disorders, and mental health struggles, offering a rare glimpse into the hidden cost of head injuries in professional sports.
The Injury That Shattered a Career
Seedsman’s life changed forever during a routine 2021 training session, just months after his career-best season with the Adelaide Crows. A single head knock left him with post-concussion syndrome so severe that an independent medical panel advised his retirement in 2023.
“I played 22 games that year, finished third in the club’s best and fairest… then poof, it was over,” he said.
Some Days I Can’t Move or Speak”: A Daily Struggle
In a haunting revelation, Seedsman described waking up some mornings completely immobilized, comparing the episodes to suffering a stroke.
“I get headaches, nausea, dizziness. Some mornings I wake up and can’t get out of bed. Other days, it’s like my battery drains—once I hit the red zone, I can’t move, speak, or even lift my limbs,” he shared.
His symptoms escalate unpredictably, leaving him bedridden for weeks at a time.
“In December, I did a couple small tasks one morning and was stuck in bed for three weeks. It’s agony… like my body shuts down.”
Mental Health and Sleep: The Invisible Battles
Beyond physical pain, Seedsman battles chronic insomnia, relying on sleep aids nightly for three years.
“For six months, I couldn’t sleep without help. It compounds everything,” he admitted. Antidepressants now accompany his daily regimen, though he emphasizes, “I haven’t figured out my limits yet. Every day is a guessing game.”
Finding Light in the Darkness
Despite the turmoil, Seedsman credits a 2020 personal development course for reshaping his mindset.
“I thought I was positive, but I was negative back then. Now, I journal gratitude and focus on polarity—finding good in the bad.” His wife Alice and daughter Cami anchor him: “They give me purpose. Even on the worst days, I try to find something good.”
AFL’s Concussion Crisis: A Call for Change
Seedsman’s story amplifies growing scrutiny over the AFL’s handling of head injuries. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), linked to repeated trauma, has been found posthumously in players like Shane Tuck and Danny Frawley.
While the league introduced smart mouthguards to monitor impacts, critics argue measures fall short. Former players, including Seedsman’s peers, are now part of class actions alleging negligence.
“If my story helps others or brings awareness, it’s worth telling,” Seedsman said.
His courage adds urgency to a national conversation about athlete safety—and the lifelong stakes of a single hit.
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