Trent Hodkinson and Chantelle Traficante name son after NRL star’s NFL hero
Retired NRL star Trent Hodkinson’s wife Chantelle Traficante has revealed how Trent’s NFL hero got him through his injuries — and inspired the name of their newborn baby.
Confidential
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DESPITE the NRL dominating Trent Hodkinson and wife Chantelle Traficante’s life for a decade, it was actually American football that influenced their first child’s name.
The former NSW Blues halfback, 31, and interior designer, 32, welcomed Brees Austen Hodkinson to the world on April 19.
It was Hodkinson who suggested the name after one of his idols who helped him through a tough time, US footballer Drew Brees.
“Back in 2012 he’d had quite a few injuries that year – two shoulder reconstructions and a knee (reconstruction),” Traficante explained.
“It was an awful year … he nearly gave up.
“He read Drew Brees’ book, he’s an NFL quarterback for the New Orleans Saints who went through a lot of the same struggles with injuries and focused on coming back stronger.
“What he went through was a really big inspiration to Trent.
“He tossed out Brees as a name and I said ‘I am not naming my baby after an NFL player.’
“But when Brees was born he didn’t have a name for five days and he was so placid. It suited him.”
Helped by the COVID-19 bubble and Hodkinson’s medical retirement, parenthood has been a breeze for the couple so far, with Ms Traficante even continuing to work on her Moroccan inspired home decor company, Beni Kesh.
She said Hodkinson was “a beautiful father,” but Brees had been the perfect bub.
“I knew exactly what father he was going to be and he’s exactly that,” she said.
“It’s all been very calm … I think I’ve actually chilled out since becoming a mum.
“He (Brees) is an angel child … he eats like the Cookie Monster and sleeps like he’s had 24 beers.”