James Graham: Footy great reignites his bitter feud with 'parasite' Peter FitzSimons as he blasts his VERY controversial message to superstar James Tedesco: 'How dare you!'

Rugby league great James Graham has blasted Peter FitzSimons after the columnist called for Roosters star James Tedesco to retire after suffering yet another concussion.

Graham and former Wallaby FitzSimons have been feuding for years, with the pair first clashing in 2019 when the Sydney Morning Herald writer questioned the retired prop stating he was willing to 'accept' the risk of head knocks as part and parcel of professional rugby league.

In 2022, Graham then accused FitzSimons of ambushing him and putting him on show at a concussion seminar.

So when FitzSimons recently wrote it was time for Roosters captain Tedesco to hang up his boots after he was knocked out against the Bulldogs, Graham didn't mince his words.

'This type of behaviour [from FitzSimons] is using our game and the very serious issue of concussion to stay alive,' Graham fumed on his The Bye Round podcast.

'He has no right to publicly recommend that James Tedesco should retire from the game of rugby league. 

'It is basically like me saying 'Peter, I think you are past it, I think you should retire from journalism'. It should carry the same weight because you are talking nonsense.

'Time for you to move on and retire.'

Graham also pointed out FitzSimons isn't a doctor - and as a result, shouldn't scrutinise Tedesco's playing future. 

'He also says 'I am someone with no medical expertise',' Graham said.

'You got that part right. You got that part spot on. You know when you write this that James' loved ones — his wife, his mum, dad, extended family and friends — would all read this and it does nothing helpful other than stir up unnecessary anxiety and stress.

'You are making the situation worse. He knows the complexities and weight and delicate nature of such a decision and you are calling for him to retire.

'How dare you do that? He is saying it is going to draw flak. Well you have your reaction. I am calling it out for what it is.

'It has hit a nerve and it has really frustrated me because it is just something that shouldn't be going on — and he needs to be called out for it.

'Nothing less than the behaviour of a parasite. Now for those that don't know what a parasite means, it needs a host to stay alive. And this type of behaviour is using our game and the very serious nature of concussion in order to stay relevant or alive.

'That's what a parasite would do.'