Red-headed athletes, due to the MC1R gene mutation, have higher pain thresholds and faster adrenaline response, making them exceptionally tough.
It turns out there is actual science behind why red-headed footy players are wired differently to the rest.
Scientists call it a mutation of the MC1R gene. In simple terms, it changes how the body processes pain and spikes adrenaline. Studies show blokes with red hair have a naturally higher pain threshold and flood their systems with adrenaline much faster than normal.
As a coach, you don't need a medical degree to understand what that means. MC1R = tough.
I've had the privilege of coaching a few of these players over the years.
At Canberra in my early days, it was Alan Tongue. Tonguey was as tough as a tungsten nail; he played through pain that would have landed normal blokes in hospital, tackled anything that moved, and squeezed every drop out of his body through sheer stubbornness.