20-05-2025
Footy legend takes his first steps after having life-changing surgery to fix damage from his 210-game career
A former Australian rugby league star, who retired back in 2006 due to a chronic knee injury, has remarkably been seen taking his first steps after undergoing surgery only last week on both of his knees.
Shaun Timmins revealed on May 11 that he had checked into a hospital and was due to have treatment on the issue, which was a result of his epic 210-game career.
The St George Illawarra great, was advised to hang up his boots by a knee specialist at the end of his career due to the issue.
He had previously spent 18 months on the sidelines due to the injury back in 2000 but returned to play in 2002, enjoying a standout season.
Fears then mounted over his career after it appeared that the same condition had occurred in his other knee, but he battled through, notably going on to kick the winning goal against Queensland in the opening game of the 2004 State of Origin Series.
A year later, though, he had offered his services to the club he had been so loyal to throughout his career, offering to come back out of retirement after fellow lock forward Mark Gasnier had sustained a pectoral muscle injury.
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Shaun Timmins revealed last week that he was set to undergo surgery to remedy two chronic knee injuries he had sustained during his glittering 210-game playing
The footy star's offer was not accepted.
'Finally time to get 2 new pins, they have served me well and also given me some grief the game that keeps on giving,' he wrote on Instagram.
'Injuries are part of the game,' he added. 'It's how you bounce back.'
Fondly remembered by St George fans and New South Wales supporters as one of the club's greatest forwards.
'My loyalty has never wavered for the club that I got to live out a dream for a ratbag from Kiama @illawarra_steelersofficial @nrl_dragons I would do it all again if I could
'I look forward to being able to keep up walking the dog with ya @riss__10 (Larissa Timmins - his wife)'
Timmins later published a video of himself walking with a mobility frame down the hospital ward.
Timmins appeared to have had both legs operated on as plasters were seen placed around both of his knees as he walked while wearing compression tights.
Timmins notably helped New south Wales clinch a famous Origin win, kicking the winning goal in the opening game of the 2004 Series against Queensland
'Day one, new pins ready for a sprint race,' he wrote on the video.
The footy great, who won nine caps for Australia, has had to battle through some health issues since his retirement in 2006.
Timmins had been saved from a possible devastating outcome after his wife, Larissa, had urged him to go to hospital in 2022.
It came after he had explained he'd been feeling ill for some time before the versatile player said he had struggled to breathe during his daughter's OzTag championships in Coffs Harbour.
He was later admitted to hospital with a damaged heart and spent a week in the ICU.
'To tell you the truth, I thought I was gone,' Timmins said to the Daily Telegraph.
'My wife Larissa told me I had to go to hospital. She saved my life.
'I was at John Flynn Hospital on the Sunday night and they said: "We don't want to scare you but we don't have the manpower here to save you if things worsen".
The St George great revealed he had found out he'd been suffereing from a heart issue but had only found out about the concerning problem after Larissa, his wife, told him to go to the hospital
Timmins had been saved from a possible devastating outcome, after doctors found he had a damaged heart. He later spent some time in an intensive care unit as he underwent treatment
'I thought I was gone. The nurses couldn't believe I was still standing. They told me it was lucky I was so fit. My resting heart rate was at 190 beats per minute.
'I didn't have a heart attack but I was on the cusp.
'They found a clot in my heart.'
Timmins subsequently underwent treatment for the illness, which included heart shock treatment and medication.
