By his own admission Brent Tate’s NRL retirement has been coming for the best part of a decade.
Victim of a near career-ending neck injury in 2003 and three knee reconstructions following that, Tate knows he’s been on borrowed time for a while now.
On Wednesday, following medical advice after a fourth serious knee injury suffered in this year’s State of Origin series, Tate finally brought an end to a gutsy and successful 13-year career.
The bare numbers are impressive enough – 229 games for three NRL clubs, one premiership, 26 Tests and 23 State of Origin appearances for his beloved Queensland.
To get there however, the 32-year-old has had to endure a journey which makes his tale so much more than raw stats.
“That’s what makes me feel okay with everything,” Tate told AAP.
“It could have ended a lot earlier. I think I was only 23, 24, maybe even younger at the time when that neck happened so it could’ve been a lot worse.
“I’ve been able to play 10 years or so years after that.”
Tate’s courage was never more evident than in 2011 when he made his third comeback from a knee reconstruction.
Not only did Tate return to the game but, for the third time in his career, he was able to regain a spot in the Queensland and Australia teams following a serious injury.
It also meant Tate got to be a part of the Maroons’ remarkable run of Origin dominance, eventually having a hand in five of Queensland’s eight series wins in a row.
“To be able to come back and play the way I did, I was really proud of that,” Tate said.
“After the third knee I actually thought I was done. I never, ever thought in my wildest dreams I was going to be able to play rep footy again.
“To get back there was awesome, I loved it … it’s a piece of rugby league history.”
Tate, who has found a home in Townsville following his move to North Queensland in 2011, will remain with the Cowboys in an off-field role.
And he feels he leaves the game in a good way, happy that players are being well cared for both on and off the field.
“I love the game and I think the game’s in great shape,” he said.
“Obviously you’re going to have hiccups here and there but I think on a whole our game really understands the responsibility we’ve got to our fans, to our sponsors and to all our families now.
“It’s come a long way. The game is played in a really safe manner.
“It’s just been awesome to be a part of it and when I speak to people I’m really proud to say I’m an NRL player … it’s a real badge of honour.”
BRENT TATE’S NEVER-SAY-DIE RUGBY LEAGUE CAREER
NRL appearances: 229 (81 tries)
Clubs: Brisbane (2001-07), Warriors (2008-10), North Queensland (2011-14)
Tests: 26 (2002-08, 2010, 2013)
State of Origin matches: 23 (2002-04, 2006-08, 2012-14)
* Premiership winner 2006
* Tri-Nations winner 2006