'It's how you bounce back': Footy legend shares massive update after life-changing surgery
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For many fans, the glory days of rugby league were filled with tough-as-nails players who gave their all for the team.
One such legend is Shaun Timmins, a name that still brings a smile to the faces of St George Illawarra Dragons and New South Wales Blues fans alike.
Now, years after hanging his boots up, Timmins once again showed the same grit and determination that made him a household name.
Shaun Timmins' rugby league journey was an impressive run.
With 210 top-level games under his belt, he was a stalwart for the Dragons and a key figure in some of the most memorable State of Origin clashes.
However, the physical toll of the game left its mark on Timmins.
Chronic knee injuries plagued Timmins throughout his career.
These injuries later on forced him into early retirement in 2006.
Despite spending 18 months sidelined by injury in 2000, Timmins made a triumphant return in 2002.
He etched his name into Origin folklore by kicking the winning field goal in the opening game of the 2004 State of Origin series.
Fast forward to May 2024, Timmins found himself facing another daunting challenge.
He had to undergo double knee surgery to address the lingering damage from his playing days.
'Finally time to get two new pins, they have served me well and also given me some grief—the game that keeps on giving,' Timmins wrote in a social media post.
'Injuries are part of the game. It's how you bounce back.'
Days after his operation, Timmins posted a video of himself taking his first steps down the hospital corridor, supported by a mobility frame and sporting plasters.
'Day one, new pins ready for a sprint race,' he jokingly shared.
It was not just his knees that tested his resilience.
In 2022, Timmins's wife, Larissa, urged him to seek medical help after he struggled to breathe during his daughter's OzTag championships.
Doctors discovered a clot in his heart, and he spent a week in intensive care.
'To tell you the truth, I thought I was gone,' he admitted. 'My wife Larissa saved my life.'
Even after retirement, he offered to return to the field when the Dragons were hit by injuries.
'My loyalty has never wavered for the club that I got to live out a dream for—a ratbag from Kiama,' he wrote.
Timmins' story is a powerful reminder of the importance of support networks, both in sport and in life.
Whether it's teammates on the field, family at home, or the dedicated medical professionals who help us through tough times, having people in your corner makes all the difference.
Have you or someone you know going through a tough recovery after surgery? We would love to read your stories! Whether they're about sporting glory, health battles, or simply getting back to enjoying life's little moments, let us all celebrate resilience, support, and the power of never giving up.
One such legend is Shaun Timmins, a name that still brings a smile to the faces of St George Illawarra Dragons and New South Wales Blues fans alike.
Now, years after hanging his boots up, Timmins once again showed the same grit and determination that made him a household name.
Shaun Timmins' rugby league journey was an impressive run.
With 210 top-level games under his belt, he was a stalwart for the Dragons and a key figure in some of the most memorable State of Origin clashes.
However, the physical toll of the game left its mark on Timmins.
Shaun Timmins started playing professionally in 1994. Image Credit: NRL Photos
Chronic knee injuries plagued Timmins throughout his career.
These injuries later on forced him into early retirement in 2006.
Despite spending 18 months sidelined by injury in 2000, Timmins made a triumphant return in 2002.
He etched his name into Origin folklore by kicking the winning field goal in the opening game of the 2004 State of Origin series.
Fast forward to May 2024, Timmins found himself facing another daunting challenge.
He had to undergo double knee surgery to address the lingering damage from his playing days.
'Finally time to get two new pins, they have served me well and also given me some grief—the game that keeps on giving,' Timmins wrote in a social media post.
'Injuries are part of the game. It's how you bounce back.'
Days after his operation, Timmins posted a video of himself taking his first steps down the hospital corridor, supported by a mobility frame and sporting plasters.
'Day one, new pins ready for a sprint race,' he jokingly shared.
It was not just his knees that tested his resilience.
In 2022, Timmins's wife, Larissa, urged him to seek medical help after he struggled to breathe during his daughter's OzTag championships.
Doctors discovered a clot in his heart, and he spent a week in intensive care.
'To tell you the truth, I thought I was gone,' he admitted. 'My wife Larissa saved my life.'
Even after retirement, he offered to return to the field when the Dragons were hit by injuries.
'My loyalty has never wavered for the club that I got to live out a dream for—a ratbag from Kiama,' he wrote.
Timmins' story is a powerful reminder of the importance of support networks, both in sport and in life.
Whether it's teammates on the field, family at home, or the dedicated medical professionals who help us through tough times, having people in your corner makes all the difference.
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