Former NRL star turned podcast sensation Denan Kemp believes current players in the game will have some form of brain damage.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia, the 35-year-old also reflected on his blossoming career path after retiring in 2013.
When quizzed on the subject of concussion in rugby league, the Locker Room host offered a candid response.
‘Any NRL player that has played over a long period will have some form of brain damage,’ Kemp said.
‘It is just the way it is, I was concussed multiple times during my career. There is a price to pay, it is a high-collision sport played by gladiators.
‘Ultimately, the decision to play in the NRL is made by adults…. you will get hit in the head. [Head] knocks are inevitable, players all know the risks.’
Kemp, who also has a highly successful clothing label and ‘Bloke in a Bar’ beer brand, added his own transition from a professional athlete to a ‘normal’ life wasn’t easy.
Former NRL star turned podcast sensation Denan Kemp believes most current players in the game will have some form of brain damage due to the high contact nature of the sport
James Graham last year revealed he has brain damage after suffering more than 100 concussions over his career
‘I needed a new focus, I felt my life was worthless….in my eyes, my whole purpose and identity was to be an athlete,’ he said.
‘Once that was all over, I wondered what was next.
‘The level of intensity playing NRL is incredible, it feels like the end of the world when you lose.
‘There is also nothing better than a group of men working together to achieve the same goal.
‘After footy, I was working in the mines, listening to plenty of podcasts, and eventually I thought ‘hey I can do that, there is a gap in the market when it comes to rugby league.
‘Everyone has a story to tell, so I thought why not interview players about their lives.’
The teenage sporting prodigy – who was on the books of A-League club Brisbane Roar, won athletics track events at national level and also had the Lions pursue him for the AFL Draft before signing with the Broncos – secured TV identity Beau Ryan as his first interview in 2015.
Fast forward to 2023 and Kemp has interviewed a galaxy of former and current stars, including the likes of Cameron Smith, Jarome Luai, Alex McKinnon, Willie Mason, Anthony Mundine, James Graham and Paul Gallen.
The ‘Beak’ has since carved out a successful life post footy, with his own weekly podcast, clothing label and branded beer (pictured, with his wife)
Kemp made his NRL debut with the Broncos in 2007 and also played for the Warriors
After retiring in 2013, Kemp lacked purpose in his own eyes before launching his ‘Locker Room’ podcast two years later
Nothing is off limits, and the former winger said finding a point of difference was key.
His social media presence is strong, with 238,000 Facebook followers.
It is a similar story on Instagram, with 208,000 followers.
Kemp also believes the fact he played in the NRL from 2007 onwards significantly aids his cause.
‘There is a sense of brotherhood, the guys approve of what I have done, there is mutual respect,’ he said.
‘Only a certain few people are lucky enough to play in the NRL, so previously being in the system fulltime, that works in my favour.
‘My fundamental aim is always to tell stories through players eyes with no negative agenda.. and if there are elements they have a think about post interview, be it contracts or something personal, I just don’t run it.’
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