Teigan Power responds after shock split with former NRL player Alex McKinnon

The wife of former NRL player Alex McKinnon has publicly addressed reports the couple’s inspirational love story is over.

Teigan Power has confirmed she and former NRL player Alex McKinnon have separated and has asked for the pair’s privacy to be respected.

The Sydney Morning Herald first reported on Sunday that the couple separated in January after 12 years.

Their love story inspired the country as the former Newcastle star began to recover from the tragic football incident in 2014 that left him confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

Photos of the couple and their children sharing a happy life together as seen in recent social media posts have captivated fans.

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On Sunday evening, Power took to social media to request the public respect her and McKinnon’s privacy as they deal with their split.

“At this time, Alex and I are navigating this period of change together privately,” she wrote in an Instagram story.

“Due to our situation being made public without our consent, we are asking for our privacy to please be respected at this time.

“We are together concentrating on protecting our family and children. We have the utmost respect for each other, and are both very grateful for the people, as well as all of the support that we have in our lives!

“We understand the interest, but would really appreciate your understanding and ask you to please respect our wishes at this time.”

Teigan and Alex McKinnon with their three girls. Picture: Supplied

They were an inspirational couple. Source: Instagram

McKinnon’s Instagram account is on private and he is yet to publicly address the reports.

The 30-year-old former NRL player had not been seen on Power’s Instagram feed since Christmas — before she shared a photo of them together on Saturday where they were celebrating the first birthday of their twin daughters Audrey and Violet.

The couple have three daughters under the age of four.

They celebrated the births of their twins in April last year. Eldest daughter Harriet recently turned three.

Just yesterday, Teigan shared photos to Instagram of her and McKinnon together happily celebrating the first birthday of their twins Audrey and Violet.

The report claims the stresses that come with raising a young family were the primary cause of the separation.

The pair are reported to have made the decision mutually and “hold no ill will”. They are committed to raising their young family together.

McKinnon played 49 NRL games before his career was tragically cut short when he suffered a devastating spinal cord injury playing for the Newcastle Knights in March 2014.

He was diagnosed a quadriplegic and proposed to Power from his hospital bed just days after the devastating accident.

Alex McKinnon and partner Teigan welcome first child Harriet Anne.

Alex and Teigan McKinnon.

Teigan has always been by his side since they left high school together — and the pair got married in 2017 in front of family and friends after McKinnon fulfilled his promise to rise from his wheelchair on their wedding day.

The pair have repeatedly spoken in public to declare how they strengthened each other with their bravery during the ongoing difficulties that have arisen recently

Speaking last year after the birth of their twins, McKinnon said, “Teigan was her typical brilliant self — brave, strong and just amazing.

“It’s just so special and again I’m so thankful that Teigan and the girls are all doing so well.’’

McKinnon in January left his recruitment job at the Newcastle Knights. He took over as elite-pathways recruitment manager in 2019 having been involved in the team’s talent scouting process since 2014.

He is now studying psychology at Newcastle University and working for Fox Sports as a sideline reporter and analyst.