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A devastated Corey Jensen has announced his immediate retirement from the game, saying he would not have been able to live with himself if he continued his NRL career.<\/p>\n
The 32-year-old Brisbane prop was diagnosed with pulmonary embolisms, or blood clots, in both lungs after playing against Wests Tigers in round seven.<\/p>\n
Jensen was told by specialists he would be on blood thinners for the rest of his life.<\/p>\n
The 2025 premiership winner does not know the cause of the clots, but said a bad knock could trigger internal bleeding, making his situation worse.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s become clear it\u2019s no longer safe for me to continue playing rugby league. It\u2019s been incredibly difficult to come to terms with, but my health and my family\u2019s future come first,\u201d he said while tearing up on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs tough as today is, I don\u2019t want it to be a sad day. I want it to be in celebration of what rugby league has given me.<\/p>\n
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Corey Jensen announced his retirement to his teammates on Wednesday.NRL Images<\/p>\n
Jensen had been training with the Broncos in the hope of receiving a clean bill of health. But the 32-year-old, who is married to wife Shannen and one of seven children, ultimately put his family first.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like if I went to my family (knowing) I made the decision to continue playing with the amount of risks that\u2019s involved in it, and something was to happen, then I wouldn\u2019t be able to live with myself, and I\u2019d be letting them down too,\u201d Jensen said.<\/p>\n
Jensen made his debut in 2017 for North Queensland, where he was part of the Cowboys\u2019 historic premiership run before featuring in 95 matches for Brisbane.<\/p>\n
Related Article He also played a key role in the middle last year in the Broncos\u2019 premiership win as a powerhouse foil in the starting side with fellow middle forwards Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan.<\/p>\n His glittering time in Brisbane made the moment he informed his team of the devastating news on Wednesday only harder.<\/p>\n \u201cTo my teammates, I\u2019ve watched so many of you grow from young blokes walking into the club straight out of school into husbands, fathers and genuine leaders,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI never chased individual recognition. What I\u2019ve loved most is being part of a team, seeing people grow and knowing that maybe in some way I may have contributed.\u201d<\/p>\n Brisbane coach Michael Maguire had immediate plans for the prop.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s been the rock of a lot of things that have gone on in the organisation,\u201d Maguire said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s already jumped straight into coaching, and he\u2019s still here at six o\u2019clock in the morning and six o\u2019clock at night, cutting clips for the players, talking to players.<\/p>\n \u201cI do see him as a coach at some stage because of what I\u2019ve just seen in a short period of time.\u201d<\/p>\n Jensen said he did not see himself as a coach at first, but has since found joy in it. Admitting his emotions were still \u201craw\u201d, he said he would decide on his future later.<\/p>\n AAP<\/p>\n Get alerts on significant breaking news as happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"BRISBANE,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4134e6199f5ed53a782fd4a2a252365673bc824e.jpeg\")
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