Sydney Roosters legend Johnny Mayes suffering aggressive brain tumour
Roosters legend Johnny Mayes only has weeks to live.
That is the sad diagnosis from his family as the 78-year-old rapidly loses his fight against a brain tumour.
Mayes, the first rugby league player to win three successive premierships at multiple clubs, won the 1973 NSWRL title before moving to Easts where they won from 1974-75. He played 134 first-grade games.
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Mayes played in the 1975 World Cup for Australia but only played three Tests for his country.
“It’s a big shock to the family,” Glen Mayes told Nine.
“Dad had an MRI last week and it showed a very aggressive brain tumour. The doctors tell us his time is limited. Maybe a few weeks … if we are lucky, a couple of months.
“They tried steroids to slow it, but they didn’t work. The only fortunate thing is that he is in no pain.
“He has paralysis down the left side of body and is also suffering from dementia.
“All we can do is try to make the most of the time he has left.
“He is currently in hospital. We celebrated his 78th birthday there this week ... but may move to palliative care.
“A lot of his old teammates have called and he has four kids and six grandkids so there is a lot of love there.”
