In 2009 Queensland Origin legend Dale ‘Rowdy’ Shearer lay in a coma, following a devastating car accident, which doctors feared would take his life.
The force of the accident tore his skull off his vertebrae, an injury no one had ever survived from.
But somehow, Shearer did survive, against all odds.
The 26-game Queensland Origin representative joined NITV’s League Nation Live this week, where he detailed his miraculous recovery.
As he lay in that hospital bed, word was spreading that Shearer's fight was one he couldn't win.
“There wasn’t much hope, there were still some concerns with a lot of bleeding they couldn’t control, they just crossed their fingers.
“I did get through the night.
"My mum was leaving and I gave a little moment with my finger and she told them ‘He’s going to be sweet’", said Shearer.
An outside back once known for his dazzling speed, Shearer again portrayed that quickness in his recovery.
After lying in a coma for two weeks, he defied doctor’s orders and flew through his rehabilitation with the same ease he once showed on a football field.
“They told me then I’d be paralysed and wheelchair bound and probably in hospital for 18 months.
“But once I was aware after those two weeks, I just couldn’t get out of there quick enough.
"I was doing push-ups on the handrail in the hall, I’d sneak down to the physio room and steal a little old ladies push trolley, I just wanted to get out as quickly as possible.
“I had three months rehab because I couldn’t walk, couldn’t talk, couldn’t eat, and couldn’t lift my hands. But I got through that rehab in a month," said Shearer.
Shearer amazingly is back playing the game that saw him represent his country on twenty occasions, despite doctors urging him to give it away.
“I was told not to play any sport, and that I’m not allowed to coach. But I have a run around in the Masters. It’s a bit delicate, but hopefully they look after me," Shearer says.
‘Rowdy’ fought back when given the smallest odds and he’s well aware of where his focus should be in his second chance at life.
The 2009 accident amazingly coincided with the anniversary of his wife’s passing.
Shearer feels his late wife had a part to play in his amazing recovery.
“My wife did pass away a year before that and unfortunately the accident did coincide with the anniversary of her death.
“I think she might have been looking down saying get your ass back down there and look after them boys, and at the time that was my main motivation.
