Alix Popham's wife has revealed the comment from a former international which left her "sick to her stomach".
It has been around 18 months since former Wales international Popham was diagnosed with early onset dementia and probable CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) after suffering brain injuries during his rugby career.
Popham, who played 33 times for Wales, was one of a small group of players who last year announced their intention to sue World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union in England and the Welsh Rugby Union over what they claim is a failure to protect them from the risks caused by concussions and brain injuries.
The news of Popham's diagnosis was met with widespread sympathy, with many believing that the sport had failed the 42-year-old.
However, not everyone felt that way, as Popham's wife Mel explained as part of a joint interview the pair gave to The Guardian.
"The day the article came out there was one ex-pro who just said ‘we signed up’ or something like that," Mel said.
"And that made me feel sick to my stomach. I know Alix didn’t sign up to have dementia at the age of 40."
She then added that the ex-pro later invited Alix on his podcast.
However, he declined the offer.
"‘I’m not going down that road. I’m not here to argue," Mel added.
"I’ve seen the brain scans, I’ve lived this situation."
Last year, WalesOnline revealed that six of the players initially involved in the lawsuit, including Popham and former Dragons centre Adam Hughes, were Welsh.
Popham himself spoke to WalesOnline earlier in the year about the awareness he is seeking to raise, not just through the legal case, but the lobby group Progressive Rugby and his own charity, Head for Change.
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