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Footy star turned radio presenter Aaron Woods has revealed why Father's Day was always an occasion previously tinged with sadness - until he became a dad himself.
Speaking on Triple M Breakfast on Thursday, Woods - who has three kids - reflected on his own childhood, which was punctured by the absence of his own father.
'As a kid, for me, it was probably the worst day on the calendar,' an emotional Woods told listeners.
'At school, you'd make cards for your old man, or do all the craft stuff you do in class.
'Your mates would tell you 'I want to get dad a hardware voucher or a Bunnings voucher.'
'But for me, I don't know my dad. It was a celebration for them but for me it wasn't, it was a reminder of something that I didn't have.'
Footy star turned radio presenter Aaron Woods has revealed why Father's Day was always an occasion previously tinged with sadness - until he became a dad himself
Speaking on Triple M Breakfast, Woods - who has three kids - reflected on his own childhood, which was punctured by the absence of his own father
Woods retired from the NRL last year after 270 games - he also represented NSW and Australia in what was a decorated career
Woods went on to state his father-in-law Lindsay has become his mentor - and the former representative prop now treasures Father's Day.
'For me now, is one of the greatest days on the calendar. You wake up Sunday morning and the kids come in, they jump on top of me,' he said.
'They bring in the pancakes that they want to make with (wife) Sarah. And there's an argument over which pancakes are the best.
'One of the greatest parts is when they bring the cards in for me....it brings a bit of a tear to my eye, because it's something I never got to do when I was a kid.
'For me, it just doesn't get any better than that. That is what I live for.'
Woods retired from the NRL last year after 270 games at five clubs.
He also represented NSW and Australia in what was a decorated career.
The front-rower, 34, courted controversy earlier this year after labelling Queensland Origin coach Billy Slater a 'grub.'
An emotional Slater responded by suggesting Woods was perhaps unaware of the mental health concerns his words could have on people, before referencing late Maroons coach Paul Green, who suffered from CTE.
Slater later retracted his comments and rang Green's wife Amanda to apologise.
Queensland rallied to win the Origin series 2-1, with Woods conceding he 'stirred the pot' and unwillingly helped inspire the Maroons to lift the interstate shield.
