Kaysa Pritchard may have played just 47 games in six seasons, but it was enough to force a reputation for having no regard for his body.
And the kamikaze hooker has the scars to prove it.
"I've had two surgeries on my shoulder, two on my chest, two on my knee, two on my ankles ... and endless physiotherapy," Pritchard tells AAP.
"I was in there all the time. But each time I managed to get back on the horse."
Until one day he couldn't.
When Pritchard was granted indefinite leave by Parramatta in February, most assumed it was because of last year's season-ending shoulder reconstruction.
But as the Eels prepare to farewell him prior to Saturday's home game against Brisbane, Pritchard has revealed the real reason behind his early retirement.
And it was the lowest of all blows.
"It was on May 5th last year. It was actually my birthday," Pritchard recalls.
The younger brother of former Penrith and Canterbury star Frank went in to make a routine tackle on a Cronulla player early in their round-nine clash.
He reeled out of the collision, believing he copped a knee to the stomach.
Four hours later he was booked in for emergency surgery, but any fears were allayed when the surgeon told him he could be back within two weeks.
"Sweet, I'll be back next week," Pritchard replied before going under the knife.
When he woke up at three o'clock the following afternoon, Pritchard was given the news that would change his life.
"One of your testicles were fully crushed, we couldn't repair it'," the surgeon said.
"I don't know how you kept playing."
Not only was his rugby league future in doubt, but so too his shot at being a dad.
Weeks of tests followed at an IVF clinic, where he was told a normal sperm count was 37 million per millilitre. Ten million, specialists said, was low.
"My one was 100,000," Pritchard says.
"They were telling me I couldn't have kids naturally.
"I was like, 'What the f***'. My heart dropped. Every other injury I've had, I've always said I'll get back on the horse.
"Get injured? It's alright. Have a bit of a sook, but I know I'll be sweet. Get back, fix it up, smash my rehab, and get back on the field, all good.
"This one changed me."
As the weeks went on and Pritchard slowly on the mend, his partner Tiffany questioned whether he wanted to give it one final crack.
"This is what you do, what you love. This is you. You're tough," she told him.
He scored a try in his comeback game against Canterbury, before his shoulder gave way early the following week against South Sydney.
And while the stubborn Pritchard refused to give up, his mind eventually would.
Where once he showed no regard for his body, the 25-year-old now wanted to protect what he hopes will become a future family.
He is currently training to be a crane operator while also studying carpentry with ten Eels teammates.
"I had to weigh up my options. When I came back after Christmas, I told (coach Brad Arthur) that I needed time away," Pritchard said.
"I play with my heart on my sleeve. I didn't care about my body, you know. I tried to smash into everyone and win for the boys.
"But if I got hit again, I would never have kids at all. I'm still lucky. I can't have kids naturally, but I can have kids through IVF."
Australian Associated Press
Replies
Ouch !!!
In so many ways. Goodluck Kaysa !
One tough bugger !!
Wow, That would be very hard news to take for a young bloke. I'm lucky to have 4 healthy kids and they are the best things to ever happen to me. I also now have a grand daughter which is awesome, so I hope KP gets to have a healthy happy family & watch then grow & give him grand kids.
Thanks for putting your body on the line so many times for us KP & good luck with everything you do going forward.
Well said Jim probably the best comment I’ve read on here
Well said Coach Jim. KP's a tough kid; kudos for that. And after all, life is more important. Let's hope all goes well for him in the next stage of his life's journey.
Literally gave his left (or right???) testicle for the club and his team mates. Thanks for your efforts Kaysa, wish you all the best for your career in carpentry.
Sounds like he pretty much gave both
Good luck kaysa , very courageous player gave his all he hang his head high in retirement
A true champion he will be sorely missed
They don’t come any tougher
Tougher than 90% of footy players but also made of glass.
Wish him all the best for his future.
Don’t worry Kaysa, you can still have kids with only one.
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