Broncos veteran Alex Glenn to celebrate 250th NRL match

On Sunday, Broncos enforcer Alex Glenn will mark his 250th NRL game. But there was a time when he thought playing football could put him in a wheelchair.

Glenn thoroughly deserves to celebrate his long career. Image: Adam Head

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Milestone man Alex Glenn never thought he would play rugby league again when he was struck down with injury as a 16-year-old.

After suffering months of chronic back pain, scans at the time revealed Glenn’s spine was bending the wrong way and was told by his chiropractor he could end up in a wheelchair if he continued playing footy.

So he turned to touch football and after three years and a clearance from his chiropractor, Glenn returned to rugby league.

Glenn’s debut for Brisbane against North Queensland at Suncorp Stadium, Round 1 2009.

On Sunday, the 30-year-old Kiwi international will run out onto Suncorp Stadium to play his 250th NRL match and said he still couldn’t believe he had made it this far.

“I still pinch myself that I’m in this situation,” Glenn said.

“Rugby league was my everything as a 16-year-old, and when you get told you can’t play rugby league again, it’s hard to swallow.

“I’ll never forget the day I was told that. It was emotional for me and my mother.

“When I went through that tough period I honestly gave up hope and lost my passion for rugby league.

“If I was told back then that I would come back to rugby league and play 250 games, I’d laugh.

“I honestly never thought I’d be in this situation let alone play one NRL game.”

Glenn thoroughly deserves to celebrate his long career. Image: Adam Head

Glenn has been a stalwart of the Brisbane Broncos club since making his debut in Round 1, March 13 2009.

At least 60 members of his family and close friends are travelling to Brisbane and will fill up one of the bays at Suncorp Stadium today to celebrate Glenn’s milestone match.

“It’s crazy how life happens,” Glenn said.

“I’ve had a bit of time this week to self-reflect on the journey this has been and I’m so grateful to have played with some of the legends.”