Former Premier League defender Stephen Warnock has revealed that he concealed his childhood seizures from Liverpool during his time in the club’s youth academy because he was terrified of being released. The 44-year-old former professional made 67 appearances for the Anfield side during a career that spanned over 500 total matches, which also included spells at Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, and Leeds United before his retirement in 2018.
Warnock opened up about his private medical history for the first time while discussing an interview given by Hull City midfielder Matt Crooks, who lives with epilepsy. The former defender explained that he experienced a handful of seizures as a young player coming through the ranks at Liverpool, but chose to keep the condition completely hidden from coaching staff and club medical teams out of fear for his professional future in the game.
Key Details of the Condition
- Career Fear: Warnock admitted he was petrified that Liverpool would terminate his contract if the club discovered he suffered from a medical condition.
- First Incident: The former full-back suffered his initial seizure while at school, waking up in a hospital bed with no memory of the event after blacking out in front of classmates.
- Duration: The episodes persisted for approximately three years before he eventually grew out of them entirely around the age of 14.
- No Medication: Warnock did not require long-term medication or special treatment, noting he was fortunate that the seizures stopped naturally during his adolescence.
Reflecting on the Past
Reflecting on the stressful period of his youth, Warnock highlighted the constant anxiety of playing professional football while dealing with an unpredictable condition that lacked obvious triggers. He explained that the fear of experiencing an episode during a training session or a competitive match weighed heavily on his mind during his formative years as an aspiring footballer.
Although he has not suffered a seizure since he was a teenager, the former defender acknowledged that the lingering worry of a recurrence has stayed with him over the years. By sharing his story publicly, Warnock hopes to shed light on hidden health struggles in professional sports and support other athletes dealing with neurological conditions.
Keep browsing Sporting Avenue to get more interesting news from the world of sports. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to get the notifications instantly.
