When former Hull FC and NRL star Frank ‘The Tank’ Pritchard was placed in an induced coma at the beginning of January following complications with asthma after contracting COVID-19, the rugby league world looked on in horror.
Pritchard was then released and has been able to do his rehab work at home in a long road back to full health.
‘Frank the Tank’ made 26 appearances for the Black and Whites of Hull in 2016, scoring five tries, but his lasting impact has been felt around the MKM Stadium for years to come.
And, now Pritchard has broken his silence on the issue for the first time.
“It is no accident that God gave me a second chance,” Pritchard told the Daily Telegraph.
“There is a purpose for me, this is my second chance at life. When things happen to you like this, you restructure and put things in perspective, like what is important. I need to put my kids and family first and my community.”
And, now the hulking Samoan is determined to help those in need, helping those youngsters at risk in the Sydney streets.
“Even when I was playing, I would volunteer my time with the youth, at Cobham (Youth Centre) and in my community. Giving back to youth was something I loved doing.
“Working in the school system and knowing what it takes to get to the top. I have had the experience of seeing a lot of kids come through the system, not make it and struggle to adapt to life.”