- Lions great reveals emotional exchange with daughter
AFL legend Jonathan Brown has revealed the emotional moment that he shared with his daughter before he decided to call it quits on his glittering 15-year career with the Lions.
The triple premiership player retired from footy in 2014 after suffering a series of worrying head knocks, including a serious concussion while playing against GWS.
Brown was told by a club doctor that he couldn’t allow the footy star to keep playing without risking serious damage.
‘I had a blue with him,’ Brown told The Howie Games podcast.
‘I was still filthy because your dream’s about to finish, isn’t it. You’ve grown up as a kid, all the way through, and you don’t want it to end.
‘You’re not really prepared and you think footy is going to last forever.’
Jonathan Brown (pictured with wife Kylie) has revealed the emotional moment that he shared with his daughter before he decided to retire
Brown retired from footy in 2014 after suffering a series of worrying head knocks
Brown says his conversation with daughter Liv (pictured left) put things in perspective
Brown says a conversation with his daughter Liv really changed how he saw the situation.
‘I said, “do you reckon dad can keep playing footy?” And she said, “No, dad. I just want you to stay home and kick the footy with me”.’
‘It brings a tear to your eye, but it puts it into perspective.
‘The time now is for family. I’ve had a lucky career, a fortunate career. Yes, I copped some injuries late, but I’ve got a beautiful little daughter who wants to kick the footy with me out in the paddock.’
‘I suppose I fell on my sword. So, I rang Leppa (Justin Leppitsch) up and said “I’m going to have to hang them up”. And that was it.’
Brown and his wife Kylie, who were married in 2008, share three children – daughters Olivia, and Macy and a son, Jack.
Kylie, who has had a painful battle with endometriosis, has campaigned to raise awareness about the debilitating illness.
Diagnosed with the crippling condition at the age of 21 – where tissue grows outside of the uterus, causing severe pelvic pain – Kylie has been outspoken about the challenges sufferers with the condition face.
