Aviva Premiership
Brett Deacon: 'I'm lucky to be alive'
ESPN Staff
December 19, 2013

Ex-Leicester Tigers flanker Brett Deacon has admitted he is "lucky to be alive" after contracting a severe case of immune system disease lupus.

The 31-year-old confirmed his retirement on Wednesday on medical advice, and has assumed a role in Leicester's academy. Deacon admitted specialists told him he was fortunate not to have suffered a heart attack as a result of his symptoms.

"The specialist said with the amount of clots I had I was lucky to be alive, with the potential for heart attacks," Deacon told BBC Radio Leicester.

"It's tough having to retire through illness, but first and foremost comes your health."

Deacon said he first alerted club medics to a problem after brother Louis' Tigers testimonial at Welford Road, in April. "I flagged it up after my brother's testimonial game because I felt so so strange and couldn't breathe properly," he said. "That would have been interesting had I collapsed during the game.

"I went for some tests and had to go on blood thinners instantly, which I will be on for the rest of my life."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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