Like many fathers, Beau Ryan worries about his kids.
But the former rugby player has specific concerns about his son Jesse, seven, and daughter Remi, 11, following in his footsteps.
The young ones are already keen athletes – they both play soccer, and Jesse also plays rugby league.
The 39-year-old worries that his children could sustain head injuries, which are common in ball sports.
‘Before my time, getting knocked out was a badge of honour,’ he tells the Daily Telegraph.
‘I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about him getting a head knock,’ Ryan said of his son’s rugby games.
‘It is part of the game, but I think the game’s in probably the safest era it’s been because of so much emphasis on head knocks, injuries and recovery’ he continued.
‘But if he did get a bad head knock, I would second-guess letting him play again. I think every parent would.’
Like many fathers, Beau Ryan worries about his kids. Pictured with son Jesse, seven, daughter Remi, 11, and wife Kara
Beau says that attitudes have changed and athletes are aware of the dangers.
‘Concussions were a part of the game, and I got a couple of bad ones,’ Beau told the publication.
‘It was an issue but it wasn’t highlighted. It didn’t have the attention it probably deserved, and now people are acutely aware of it, which is good.’
The former footy star has devoted himself to being a father to his two children and a husband to his wife Kara, 39.
He told The Daily Telegraph’s Stellar magazine that he has grown as a person since having children.
The young ones are already keen athletes – they both play soccer, and Jesse also plays rugby league. The 39-year-old worries that his children could sustain head injuries, which are common in ball sports. Beau is pictured in his rugby days
‘Before my time, getting knocked out was a badge of honour. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about him getting a head knock,’ Ryan said of his son’s rugby games
‘Having kids changes everything because you learn to put other people before yourself, which I never used to do when I was younger,’ he said.
He said that he is aware of his responsibility to take care and provide for his wife and kids, often putting their needs ahead of his.
‘I’m sort of used to coming last now. Whether it’s food that’s left over or a chair to sit on, you’re the one who misses out. It’s just what you do,’ he added.
Beau and Kara began dating when they were just 20 and married in 2012.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk