Cronulla Sharks winger Beau Ryan announced his immediate retirement from rugby league live on The Footy Show tonight to take up a full-time position with the Nine Network.
With a recurring neck injury, the popular Footy Show star decided now was the right time to finish his professional football career after eight years to focus on his family and television duties, rather than risking permanent and irreversible injury by playing on.
Ryan, 29, broke the news to his Cronulla team mates and the club earlier in the evening before announcing it on The Footy Show, where he has been a guest panellist for the past five years.
“I was sad to make the decision to retire from football as it’s a game I love so much and has given me so many opportunities. I would love to play rugby league forever, but with the seriousness of my injury and the risk of further injury I have decided to put my family first and retire,” Ryan said.
“At the same time, I am excited to still be involved in the rugby league community and thrilled to be part of the special Channel Nine family.”
Nine Entertainment Co. CEO, David Gyngell, said: “It’s a case of one door closing and another opening wider. Beau has been a terrific player and a great team man, and coupled with his unique humour and sheer on-air talent they’re the very qualities which have made him such a success on the Footy Show.
“It’s upwards and onwards from here, and we’re thrilled to have him on board full time at Nine.”
Footy Show Executive Producer, Glenn Pallister, said: “Beau is an integral part of the fabric of what The Footy Show has become. His humour and warmth appeals to kids, women and men of all ages, and his infectious energy and razor-sharp wit makes him one of the most exciting footy players to ever step into the media. Above all that, he’s a sensational bloke.”
Ryan began playing football at the age of five. Following success with numerous local teams he made his first grade debut for the Wests Tigers where he played for six years, before moving to the Sharks in 2012.
Ryan, who grew up in Albion Park, now lives on the NSW South Coast with his 18-month-old daughter Remi and wife Kara.
