Tom Chester: How teary-eyed dad Jason set Cowboy’s life on course to NRL

Scenes of Cowboys debutant Tom Chester’s dad Jason tearing up as he entered the fray on Friday night set social media ablaze, and now the youngster can reveal what choked him up the most.

AS a youngster Tom Chester wanted to be a bull rider just like his dad Jason.

But after his father put a stop to that dream, the 21-year-old followed another - playing for the North Queensland Cowboys.

Born and bred in Townsville, the former Ignatius Park College student achieved his footy goal on Friday night, making his debut for Todd Payten’s side against the Cronulla Sharks at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in front of his friends and family.

Chester said playing footy was not his major ambition growing up.

“I wanted to ride bulls when I was younger and dad wouldn’t let me, so playing footy was probably the next best thing,” he said.

Before the game, dad Jason, a former bull rider, who was also a rodeo clown, presented his son with his jersey in the dressing sheds.

Jason was also seen getting emotional on the big screen at the stadium when Tom ran onto the field with 23 minutes remaining in the second half.

Chester said it was a special moment to have his family in attendance and get his jersey from his dad but was not surprised at how emotional he was.

“Making my debut was definitely something special and something I’ll never forget in my life,” Chester said.

“Having my family here and playing in my home town is something I will never forget.

“Dad had been pretty sobby all week, so I’m surprised he held it together,” Chester added.

“It was a pretty special moment.”

Tom Chester poses with family and friends. Picture: Getty Images

While it wasn’t the debut he hoped for,with the home side losing 26-12 and only playing a handful of minutes, Chester said he was stoked about playing his first game for the club he has supported since he was a boy.

The Blackhawks youngster, who normally plies his trade as a fullback, said he was keen to get stuck in when given his chance and felt no nerves before entering the fray.

“I was actually pretty good and felt all right,” Chester said.

“When I was out there, I was pretty rattled and went in the front row before going into the halves.”

Payten said although Chester did not get much time on the field against the Sharks, he was a player for the future.

Tom Chester of the Cowboys. Picture: Getty Images

“Yeah, look, you didn’t get a lot of minutes,” the Cowboys coach said.

“I threw him on in the middle as I wanted a bit of spark and a bit of leg speed.

“It’s probably not his most comfortable position. He’s played most of his footy as a fullback. “He’s played a bit of time in the halves and he’s played a bit of time at lock.”

Chester came through the Cowboys Young Guns program and Payten said he was proud to see another homegrown player make it to the NRL.

“He’s born and bred in Townsville and supported this club all his life,” he said.

“I think it (Chester making his debut) was a good moment.

“I think the players got a bit of a buzz out of that. I thought his dad spoke well when presenting his jersey. He’s got more first grade in him over time.”

Originally published as Tom Chester: How teary-eyed dad Jason set Cowboy’s life on course to NRL