Cross-code superstar Sonny Bill Williams has shared details of a recent health battle that resulted in a two-week hospital stay and multiple surgeries, including a scare involving an infection near his spinal cord. Williams revealed a noticeably slimmer frame upon returning home, documenting his experience through social media posts.
Hospitalization and Surgeries
The health scare began after a routine neck operation was followed by a dangerous infection. Williams described waking up with a fever, vomiting, and pus emanating from his wound, prompting an emergency hospital visit. "My wound got infected from the surgery so I had to rush up to the hospital," Williams stated in a video from his hospital bed. He expressed concern due to the infection's proximity to his spinal cord.
His wife, Alana, elaborated on the severity, noting that he underwent a second surgery within the week to address the infection and abscess situated on his spinal cord. "All went well and recovering slowly," she confirmed.
Recovery and Reflection
After two weeks and multiple surgeries, Williams was discharged and returned home. He shared photos with his family, including a graphic image of the wound on his neck and a picture from his hospital bed. "After two more surgeries & two weeks in hospital, I’m finally home. Alhamdullilah ... Grateful for all the love," he wrote.
The experience prompted a shift in Williams' perspective, as he witnessed other patients facing serious health challenges. "Count your blessings. I was in the emergency ward, sitting next to a lady who had just finished her chemo and she was back in because they found more cancerous cells," he shared. He also noted a man in significant pain, highlighting the varying degrees of suffering and the need for gratitude.
Sporting Career and its Toll
Williams, a dual-code legend and one of New Zealand's most celebrated athletes, reflected on the physical demands of his career. He indicated that this latest procedure was potentially the fourth on his neck, a consequence of years of punishment across rugby league and rugby union. He previously had surgery to remove bone from his spine to relieve pressure on nerves due to a bulging disc sustained during his playing days.
Despite the physical toll, Williams expressed no regret about his sporting journey, stating, "I would never change my path as a sportsman because it brought me so much joy." He also offered a sobering message about the nature of elite sports careers, where financial and organizational support often ceases if performance declines.
Williams won NRL premierships with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the Sydney Roosters, secured two Rugby World Cups with the All Blacks, and later pursued a professional boxing career before retiring from rugby in 2021.