NRL great Steve Renouf has called on former footballers to donate their brain tissue when they die to help research into concussion.

Renouf, former Wallabies flanker David Croft and retired Brisbane Lions defender Justin Clarke say they will donate brain tissue to science to help advance medical treatment and remedies for concussion.

Broncos great Steve Renouf has urged former players to get behind research into brain damage. Credit:Tim Clayton

The trio are ambassadors for a new University of Queensland study into concussion to be undertaken by the Queensland Brain Institute.

The five-year study of current athletes, across a range of sports, will try to determine the effects of serious head knocks during an active career.