Ex-AFL player Shaun Smith has been paid a $1.4 million total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance claim by MLC Life.

Mr Smith, 51, who played for North Melbourne and Melbourne, told ABC News that the “historic” payout could make people take concussion in the sport more seriously.

He says his brain injury affected his moods and damaged his memory.

“I’m a pretty easy-going guy, and I was getting pretty angry at the drop of a hat,” he told the ABC.

“Then I started forgetting a lot of things, my short-term memory especially was not flash.

“It just goes on and on, and it doesn't make it much fun for people living around me.”

In a statement, MLC Life says it received Mr Smith’s TPD claim in April.

“Following our assessment of his medical and employment circumstances we were pleased to admit his claim and make payment to his superannuation fund,” the insurer said.

“In reaching our decision, we considered the opinions of Mr Smith’s doctors about the impact of his medical condition and ability to return to work in the future and we were satisfied that Mr Smith met the relevant definition of TPD in the insurance policy.”