Alex McKinnon marks an incredible milestone in his life with his glamorous girlfriend and daughters as he graduates from university…

McKinnon has officially graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychological Science, 10 years after a horror tackle ended his footy dreams – and life as he knew it.

The 32-year-old was a promising NRL player for the Newcastle Knights until his career came to a tragic end on March 24, 2014.

The Knights forward suffered a serious spinal injury during a match against the Melbourne Storm in a tackle gone wrong that caused fractures to his C4 and C5 vertebrae.

That injury left him with quadriplegia at just 22 years old.

In 2015, McKinnon became engaged to his long-term partner, Teigan Power, and they married in 2017. The couple welcomed three children, Harriet Ann and twins Audrey and Violet, but their marriage broke down in 2022.

Malone, McKinnon’s eldest daughter Harriet Ann and his parents Scott and Kate were by his side for his graduation, with Lily posting ‘Proud is an understatement’ along with a love heart emoji.

McKinnon posted ‘who would of thought’ with an emoji of a graduation mortarboard on a post that has been liked and commented on by a host of NRL stars and loved ones.

‘Well done mate,’ former St. George Illawarra Dragons utility Jake Marketo posted.

‘Congratulations mate! Awesome effort,’ former Knights star Billy Peden added.

‘Going to university has been one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life,’ McKinnon previously said.

‘One of the biggest frustrations when I got injured was that I had spent my whole life, 22 years, trying to fine-tune myself as an athlete to compete.

‘And when all that gets taken away from you, it’s soul destroying. Not only do you lose your identity, but all that hard work that you put in is now worth nothing.