- Was a rising NRL star with Newcastle Knights
- Tackle gone wrong rendered him a quadriplegic
- Has now celebrated a huge new achievement with loved ones
Former NRL star Alex McKinnon has shared heartwarming photos of him being joined by his family and partner as he celebrated an event that will change his life.
McKinnon has officially graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychological Science, 10 years after a horror tackle ended his footy dreams – and life as he knew it.
The 32-year-old was a promising NRL player for the Newcastle Knights until his career came to a tragic end on March 24, 2014.
The Knights forward suffered a serious spinal injury during a match against the Melbourne Storm in a tackle gone wrong that caused fractures to his C4 and C5 vertebrae.
That injury left him with quadriplegia at just 22 years old.
In 2015, McKinnon became engaged to his long-term partner, Teigan Power, and they married in 2017. The couple welcomed three children, Harriet Ann and twins Audrey and Violet, but their marriage broke down in 2022.
McKinnon is pictured with his girlfriend Lily Malone, who arrived with a big bunch of flowers to congratulate her beau on graduating from university
McKinnon was a promising NRL player with the Newcastle Knights until his accident in 2014
However, McKinnon has found new love with 22-year-old Lily Malone, with the pair confirming their romance in March.
Malone, McKinnon’s eldest daughter Harriet Ann and his parents Scott and Kate were by his side for his graduation, with Lily posting ‘Proud is an understatement’ along with a love heart emoji.
McKinnon posted ‘who would of thought’ with an emoji of a graduation mortarboard on a post that has been liked and commented on by a host of NRL stars and loved ones.
‘Well done mate,’ former St. George Illawarra Dragons utility Jake Marketo posted.
‘Congratulations mate! Awesome effort,’ former Knights star Billy Peden added.
‘Going to university has been one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life,’ McKinnon previously said.
‘One of the biggest frustrations when I got injured was that I had spent my whole life, 22 years, trying to fine-tune myself as an athlete to compete.
‘And when all that gets taken away from you, it’s soul destroying. Not only do you lose your identity, but all that hard work that you put in is now worth nothing.
McKinnon is all smiles as he receives his Bachelor of Psychological Science degree
McKinnon celebrates his graduation with eldest daughter Harriet Ann and his parents Scott and Kate
‘Sure, I learned lessons along the way, but all those tools I did learn, I can’t use them anymore. So basically, you have to start again.’
Following his injury in 2014, McKinnon underwent extensive rehabilitation to regain limited mobility and independence.
The NRL launched the Rise for Alex campaign in 2014, raising funds to support his ongoing care and recovery.
Determined to make a difference, McKinnon became an advocate for spinal injury awareness and worked to raise funds for medical research and rehabilitation services.
McKinnon remained connected to rugby league, joining the Newcastle Knights’ coaching and recruitment staff to contribute off the field.
In 2020, he published his autobiography, Unbroken, sharing his story of injury, recovery, and resilience.
He has also participated in public speaking engagements and charity events, using his experiences to inspire others.
McKinnon continues to advocate for spinal research and remains an active figure in the rugby league community.
