Brisbane Broncos coach Kevin Walters fought to hold back tears as he shared the heart-wrenching journey his family endured during his first wife’s battle with cancer.
Walters, a former player with an illustrious career of 242 games for Brisbane and four premierships, transitioned to coaching after his playing days. Recently featured on an episode of Fox League’s Face to Face with Yvonne Sampson, the 56-year-old delved into his upbringing, rugby league career, and the tragic passing of his first wife, Kim, in 1998.
Kim, who was the mother of Kevin’s first three children, lost her battle with breast cancer after a two-year struggle. Walters reflected, “It was a terrible time in our lives,” expressing gratitude for the unwavering support from his family, particularly his parents and brothers who rallied around them during Kim’s illness.
“I just wanted to be the best person I could for Kim and my kids,” Walters shared, describing his determination to provide comfort during Kim’s final days. Despite the heartbreaking loss, Walters continues to honor Kim’s memory every Christmas, striving to make the occasion a joyful one for their family.
“I always want to have nice Christmases now, where it’s fun, it’s exciting, it’s not the other side that we’ve been through as well,” Walters said, visibly emotional.
Reflecting on a pivotal moment following Kim’s passing, Walters recalled his outstanding performance in Game 1 of State of Origin a few months later, attributing his success to divine intervention.
