My Sporting Life is The i Paper’s look behind the curtain at what drives sports stars to greatness. This week we speak to former Liverpool and England midfielder Jamie Redknapp about the becoming a dad again later in life, having to turn into a comedian in his broadcasting role and how he might have managed injuries differently
I should have been a lot more selfish in my football career
Just to look after myself better. I was too eager to please everybody, coming back from injuries too quickly. I had my meniscus (knee cartilage) taken out when I was 18 or 19 and I played again 12 days later, which was just completely ridiculous.
I retired at 31 but I should have retired at 26 or 27. At the end it was just almost mercenary, doing it for the money and I didn’t enjoy it – I couldn’t play to the level I wanted. I was doing it for the wrong reasons, but you think you’ve got a family and you’re a long time retired. You don’t know what your career is going look like, I didn’t know what I was going to do next.
There aren’t any other regrets, my life has been amazing
If I started saying I wished I’d done this and that people would think ‘what a greedy git’! I did everything I wanted to from being a kid – playing in the Premier League, playing for and captaining Liverpool, playing for my country, I had an amazing time. That brought me to TV. I’m so lucky. It would be remiss of me to say I’ve got regrets when I’ve been so fortunate.
I had a perfect upbringing
My grandad was such a fantastic footballer, so I’d just watch him. We’d go on holiday to Isle of Sheppey, at a caravan site, and we’d be playing football for hours and hours.
In Bournemouth I obviously had my dad to look up to, but having a brother three years older than me who was a talented footballer was ideal preparation for life in the game. Every single picture I have a football in my hand. Those days in Bournemouth as an apprentice, on £27 a week, were as much fun on the pitch as I have ever had.
Me and my dad would get up in the middle of the night and watch boxing
Any sport. It didn’t matter what it was, we would watch it and play it. I’m quite good at some many sports: two-handicap at golf, snooker, tennis. All because my dad would have us playing all sorts.
I am probably most proud of what I’ve done since football, having different careers
Working for Sky was one of the best decisions I made. Sport has always been a big part of my life, so to align myself with the best in the business has been amazing. I never fancied management, just wasn’t for me. I knew how difficult it was!
Getting into punditry and doing A League of Their Own properly took me out of my comfort zone
I always liked a laugh but in privacy. I learned a lot about myself doing that, 20 series, it gave me confidence in other areas. And then mixed in with the fashion range, Sandbanks, that I co-founded, I am pleased with myself for all these different things!
I’ve never been as funny as my dad, but I can hold my own
I’ve never taken myself seriously. No matter what people say, they can say whatever they like about me. I always say some people like you and some don’t. People made their mind up about me a long time ago. I’m not going to change that.
I always have a laugh, but I’ve never been too cool not to laugh at myself. I think that’s the key. With A League of Their Own, you’ve got to take it on the chin, because every now and again you’ll be the butt of a joke. I’ve always been pretty good at that.
My dad doesn’t try hard to be funny, it’s just natural
He has great comedic timing. My grandad was hilarious. We’ve always had that sort of comedian in my family without actually knowing it, I think that comes with that East End sort of humour. I wouldn’t say I’m a comedian myself but I can hold my own.
Your next read
Being a dad again has its challenges but there is nothing better
I am settled in my life, which is an incredibly fortunate position to be in. And an important one too. I’ve met an incredible person in Frida and we’ve got a beautiful little boy. Like playing football, there are ups and downs, but the good days are so worth it.
Being a good dad is probably my greatest achievement. I have a great relationship with all my kids, I have always made sure I was there for them whenever they needed me. I have a great relationship with my parents, so could learn from the best.
A suit John Barnes forced me to buy in Singapore made that famous Liverpool cup final suit look like a work of art
It cost me two grand. I couldn’t afford that at the time, I’d just got into Liverpool’s first team. Me and John loved each other. He looked after me and took me to get suit made. It was purple, like a shiny silk. It was horrendous, like a MC Hammer look. My mum was like ‘you can’t go anywhere in that, take it off’. Hopefully it is somewhere still in a box and I’ll find it one day.
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