From Despair to Triumph: Shinnie’s Football Career Almost Ended Before It Began
“Looking back at everything I’ve achieved, I appreciate it all immensely because at 18, I thought my career was over,” Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie revealed in an emotional interview with Mostplay. The Scottish midfielder’s journey through professional football has been anything but ordinary, marked by an 11-hour surgery and a relentless battle with Crohn’s disease—a chronic inflammatory bowel condition that threatened to derail his dreams.
Diagnosed at just 12 years old, Shinnie initially tried to push through the debilitating symptoms—severe stomach pain, fatigue, and frequent hospital visits—while breaking into Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s first team. But after a Scottish Cup match against Morton, the pain became unbearable.
“I collapsed at home that night,” Shinnie recalled. “I was having baths every hour just to cope. When I finally went to the hospital, doctors discovered three abscesses that needed draining, along with removing part of my bowel and colon.”
The Long Road Back: How Football Saved Shinnie
Recovery was grueling. Simple tasks like walking to the hospital window felt like marathons. “I wondered if I’d ever run again, let alone play professionally,” he admitted. But with the support of then-manager Terry Butcher, who visited him weekly, Shinnie found motivation.
Shinnie’s 2015 Scottish Cup win was a testament to his resilience
His return was nothing short of miraculous. By 2015, he was instrumental in Inverness’ Scottish Cup victory and a Europa League qualification. Spells at Aberdeen, Derby County, and Wigan followed before his emotional return to Pittodrie in 2023.
Managing Crohn’s as a Professional Athlete
Even today, Shinnie’s condition requires careful management. “Some days, it hits me like a steam train,” he said. Modern medication—a biweekly self-injected immunosuppressant—helps, though it leaves him vulnerable to illnesses. Balancing fatherhood and football adds another layer of challenge, but Shinnie remains grateful: “Every day I step onto the pitch feels like a blessing.”
Understanding Crohn’s Disease: Key Facts
- Affects 1 in 100 people in the UK
- Symptoms include chronic pain, fatigue, and weight loss
- No cure, but treatments can manage flare-ups
Mostplay Final Take: A Story of Resilience
Graeme Shinnie’s career is a testament to perseverance. From fearing his footballing days were over to captaining Aberdeen and competing at the highest level, his journey resonates far beyond the pitch. As he puts it: “I take nothing for granted—every match could’ve been my last.”
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