Alex McKinnon opens up about the joy of being a new dad: “I bawled”
In 2014, NRL star Alex McKinnon suffered a spinal injury that left him quadriplegic, changing his life forever.
Now, more than four years later, the former Newcastle Knights player couldn’t be happier.
The 26-year-old married his partner Teigan last year and six weeks ago, the couple introduced their baby daughter Harriet into the world.
In a new interview on the Today show, Alex discussed the impact his little girl has had on him.
"I bawled," he admitted.
"Alex is very emotional," Teigan explained.
"There are photos and he is just full of emotion, and I was like relief, she is finally here... She looks like a Harriet to me."
Alex also reflected on the whirlwind of emotions he encountered as his daughter was born at Newcastle hospital.
“People tell you want to expect, but it’s crazy, just crazy,’’ he said.
“It was just me and Teigan and the nursing staff and it blew my mind.
“At that moment she arrived, I had so many thoughts — we were bawling our eyes out.
“I put her (Harriet) in my lap and held her. Teigan and I just sat there smiling. It completely blew my mind. To see the reaction on Teigan’s face was amazing.
“Teigan was a machine, inspirational, as always.’’
During the interview, the couple explained that they fell pregnant on their first round of IVF.
Although little Harriet Anne McKinnon is only a few months old, her parents are already looking toward growing their family even more.
"When I was leaving the hospital, everyone was saying see you soon and I was like, not too soon," Teigan joked.
"I think I'm going to have three daughters", Alex said.
As well as balancing his duties as a new dad, Alex has also started a new recruitment role with the Newcastle Knights and works for Fox Sports.
He also attends rehab a few times a week.