Former NRL star Nathan Stapleton rebuilds life after 16 minutes clinically dead

On April 9, 2022, former Cronulla Sharks winger Nathan Stapleton nearly skipped a country rugby match in Boorowa after dirt in his eye blurred his vision. He bought eye drops and drove three hours to play. During the game, his head was trapped in a ruck, causing a severe C4-level spinal cord injury. He was pronounced clinically dead for 16 minutes before being revived.

Today, Stapleton lives as a C4 quadriplegic and single father to Angus, four, and Harry, five. He says his sons are the only two reasons he gets out of bed each morning. The boys have helped him and the wider family endure the hardest periods of his recovery.

“I'm not gonna let my injury define their future.”

Stapleton refuses to let the injury define his children's future. He insists on remaining present in their lives despite losing the use of his arms and legs. He maintains zero resentment toward rugby league, calling the incident a freak accident rather than the sport's fault.