George Hook has apologised for threatening to sue Johnny Sexton in relation to comments he made about the rugby pundit's thoughts about concussion.
In an interview with the Irish Times, Sexton intimated that Hook's personal investment in the out-half's experiences with concussion, was questionable.
"He thinks I should have retired when I was 21. He’s still in the O’Gara camp even though Rog has retired. Look, what can you say to that? I don’t know if he actually believes that. You’ve got to take it with a pinch of salt, and people have to promote themselves, they have to sell papers. People look after themselves at the end of the day."
Hook took umbrage with Sexton's comments and, with the assistance of his legal team, promptly issued a threat to sue both Sexton and the Irish Times on grounds of defamation.
But last night, Hook appeared on the Late Late Show to apologise for lashing out, and to withdraw his plans to lodge a case against Sexton and the Irish Times.
Hook repeated the apology in the Saturday Independent, and said that while he felt Sexton's comments compromised his integrity, he also admitted that sending a solicitor's letter was a mistake.
"I was wrong. Not wrong to be upset, but wrong not to understand the pressure that an international professional sportsman faces when outside influences impact on his life while preparing for the biggest events of his career. I am sure that his focus for the Italy game was not helped by me and for that I am truly sorry."
But in relation to his stance on concussion, Hook defiantly said on the Late Late Show, that he will not stop pursuing this issue.
He said that this is "the most important work I have ever done in my life," and emphasised all the potentially fatal side effects of repeated head traumas. He also remarked on those who have been directly affected by the condition.
''If I stay silent, who speaks for Sarah Chesters and Lily Partridge, the two women who died in the last 12 months after playing rugby? Who speaks for Ben Robinson, who died on the rugby field in Carrickfergus in front of his mother? Who speaks for Luke Neville who was awarded €2.7 million damages because of the irreparable damage to his health and his career prospects? This is the most important thing I have ever done in my life and I'm not going to be silenced".
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
