Sorrowful: The Penrith Panthers head coach has confirmed the death of his wife due to…
Ivan Cleary, the beloved Penrith Panthers coach, has disclosed how a covert illness left him in critical condition midway through the season, fighting for his life.
The two-time premiership coach was admitted to the hospital earlier this year following the development of concerning blood clots on his lungs as a result of a serious knee infection.
After stepping back from active coaching duty, 51-year-old Cleary’s family was forced to put on a united front as he watched games from his living room.
Bec, his wife, stated that she became aware of her husband’s illness when he took an unusual leave of absence from work to recuperate, and that for several weeks, he didn’t get off the couch.
The two-time Premiership coach, Ivan Cleary, was admitted to the hospital earlier this year due to a serious knee infection that resulted in blood clots on his lungs.
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The two-time Premiership coach, Ivan Cleary, was admitted to the hospital earlier this year due to a serious knee infection that resulted in blood clots on his lungs.
When he took a rare time off work, his loving wife, Bec, realized her husband was ill and added that he had not gotten off the couch for several weeks.
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When he took a rare time off work, his loving wife, Bec, realized her husband was ill and added that he had not gotten off the couch for several weeks.
“This year, he was having trouble.” He had trouble even walking. He was gravely ill. He then developed blood clots. “That was quite frightening,” she said to the Sydney Morning Herald.
“Who knows what would have happened if they hadn’t received that at the time they did?” They took good care of him and received it at a convenient time.
In his sixteen years as a coach, it was the first game that Cleary had missed. He was banned from flying, so he missed the season’s opening game as well as one in Brisbane.
Watching your team play live on the couch is an odd experience. “It’s completely unrelated to typical,” the coach remarked.
It was a little frightening when I first noticed the blood clots, but I was in good hands. I was okay because I had the best nurse in Australia [Bec] taking care of me.
The Panthers coach reportedly underwent treatment for blood clots in the intensive care unit in June, and he missed multiple games due to “medical advice.”
Cleary missed two games in June +8 after being observed receiving training on crutches last month.
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Cleary missed two games in June and was seen receiving training on crutches last month.
Nathan, the star halfback for the Panthers and son of Cleary, said that celebrating with his father—who has led the team to three consecutive finals—had been “special.” (pictured, the pair celebrate the win.)
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Nathan, the star halfback for the Panthers and son of Cleary, said that celebrating with his father—who has led the team to three consecutive finals—had been “special.” (pictured, the pair celebrate the win.)
The club said in a statement at the time, “Cleary has been dealing with an ongoing knee infection and underwent a second surgery on his knee this week.”
“The head coach believes that, given the current situation, being in Brisbane wouldn’t benefit the team’s long-term prognosis or following medical advice.”
Cleary attended the NRL Grand Final 2022, where the Panthers defeated the Parramatta Eels 28–12, despite having a slight limp.
Since assistant coaches Cameron Ciraldo and Andrew Webster took over for Cleary, Penrith has won two straight premierships.
The five-eighth Jarome Luai disclosed that Cleary continued to attend training sessions despite his illness, leading players to claim they were aware of their coach’s illness.
He told The Herald, “He kept trying to show up to games and show that he was okay.”
We had a sneaking suspicion that he would overcome it. We continued to pray for him.
