The gut-wrenching story behind this raw photo of a footy star, 29, burying his head in the chest of a club official after a loss will break your heart
- Footy star Andrew Davey, 29, recently suffered a season ending knee injury
- The journeyman was in disbelief, as his road to stardom has been unconventional
- Despite signing a long term deal, he now faces an uncertain future in the sport
- Many athletes endure physical and mental obstacles in professional careers
The harsh side of professional sport was recently captured in heartbreaking fashion following a rugby league match in Sydney.
Andrew Davey, who joined the Manly Sea Eagles in the off-season, knew he was in trouble after collapsing on the field mid-match at Brookvale Oval on March 20.
The image of the hard working back-rower being assisted from the field by trainers was confronting enough – but worse was to come.
A club official then delivered the grim news that Davey, a self-confessed late bloomer in the sport, had ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, which meant his season was over.
![Sea Eagles star Andrew Davey was shattered after an early diagnosis confirmed he had ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/03/25/22/40952312-9404141-image-a-8_1616712648751.jpg)
Sea Eagles star Andrew Davey was shattered after an early diagnosis confirmed he had ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee
![The footy late bloomer knew he was in trouble when he collapsed mid-match in a recent NRL game at Brookvale Oval](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/03/25/22/40952320-9404141-image-a-9_1616712705531.jpg)
The footy late bloomer knew he was in trouble when he collapsed mid-match in a recent NRL game at Brookvale Oval
![Davey now faces a long time out of the game, with the rawness of his Instagram post resonating with many](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/03/25/22/40952302-9404141-image-a-10_1616712770605.jpg)
Davey now faces a long time out of the game, with the rawness of his Instagram post resonating with many
Typically, the recovery time for such an injury is up to nine months, and the reality of the situation soon hit Davey hard.
The 29-year-old shared a powerful image on Instagram this week, where Davey can be seen burying his head into the chest of a Manly club official after an early diagnosis revealed he wouldn’t be playing again in 2021.
While injuries come with the territory for elite athletes, Davey’s story resonated with fans and fellow players due to how hard he had worked to nail a spot in the NRL.
The persistent back-rower made his NRL debut last year with the Parramatta Eels at the ripe old age of 28.
Clearly the Sea Eagles saw something in the footy journeyman, who previously laced the boots in the semi-professional Queensland Cup with the Mackay Cutters and Townsville Blackhawks as well as the Eels’ reserve grade side in the NSW Cup.
It’s why the ACL injury has left Davey devastated and cursing his misfortune.
‘I’m not really sure how to feel just yet. I’m waiting for it all to sink in and become real,’ Davey said in a heartbreaking Instagram post.
‘From one mental battle to another. I don’t think this is any different to anything else I’ve overcome to get here.
‘This battle is just between me and my body, I don’t need to change anyone’s mind or prove anything more. Just like those hurdles, I’ll get over this one just as strong as I did the others.
‘Everybody suffers a loss from time to time, it’s the person who can overcome a loss and make a success of themselves that’s really doing something special.
‘One thing, I’m glad I had one of my best mates there to tell me it was going to be OK and that I wasn’t going to be alone.
![Davey injured his knee in wet conditions when the Sea Eagles took on the Rabbitohs on March 20 at Brookvale Oval](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/03/25/22/40952316-9404141-image-a-11_1616712861262.jpg)
Davey injured his knee in wet conditions when the Sea Eagles took on the Rabbitohs on March 20 at Brookvale Oval
![A number of players from rival NRL clubs reached out to Davey on social media after his injury](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/03/26/00/40953058-9404141-image-a-12_1616717218097.jpg)
A number of players from rival NRL clubs reached out to Davey on social media after his injury
‘Thank you to those who have reached out and wished me well the past few days. Friends, family, fans and even people who I haven’t spoken to in a while. The positive support goes much further than you can think.’
Davey is contracted with the Sea Eagles until the end of next year, and with the club looking to usher in a number of young stars as they rebuild their ageing squad, his chance to establish himself may be over before it started.
He also faces a long road recovery wise, with ACL injuries notoriously challenging physically and mentally.
Professional sport may bring fame and fortune for some – but it can also chew up and spit out athletes just as quickly.
Just ask Andrew Davey.
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