Former French rugby player Sébastien Chabal has disclosed a profound memory loss stemming from his career in rugby, stating he suffers from severe amnesia that renders him unable to remember any moments from his professional life, including playing for France 62 times. In a candid interview aired on the YouTube channel Legend, the 47-year-old, known for his imposing presence and rugged look that earned him the moniker "Caveman," revealed, "I have no memory of a single second of a rugby match I played" and lamented not remembering any renditions of the French national anthem, La Marseillaise.

Chabal's amnesia reportedly extends beyond rugby, affecting even his personal life—he does not recall the birth of his daughter and struggles with hazy memories of his childhood. He expressed bewilderment over his loss of reminiscences, pondering, "What would you do? My memory won't return."

The impact of head trauma in the sport has become a significant concern, with more than 1,000 former amateur and professional players uniting to file a lawsuit against rugby's governing bodies. This initiative, led by the law firm Rylands Garth, includes over 725 former rugby union players and more than 280 rugby league players. The lawsuit claims negligence on part of governing bodies regarding player safety and health, highlighting issues like early-onset dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders linked to repeated head injuries.

Chabal's case adds to a growing narrative of athletes grappling with the long-term repercussions of their sport, underscoring the critical conversation around concussion protocols and player welfare within rugby and beyond.