Few expected Cody Ramsey to play rugby league again after he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in late 2022.
History was against him.
Doctors told him he'd never lift a weight again, but Ramsey had little interest in listening to them.
This weekend, he appeared in his first game of rugby league since September 3, 2022 – a NSW Cup trial against the Roosters at the famed Henson Park.
"We f—ing made history," an elated Ramsey said as he made his way to the sheds after thanking and taking pictures with his support party.
"I wanted to play. I was supposed to play 20 (minutes), but I wanted to keep going and they kept me for another 10, which I'm grateful for. No one really knew how I was going to go. I'm well prepared. I've been training with the NRL squad for the whole pre-season. It was just the footy lungs that needed the work."
Friends, family, teammates and coaches made the trip to Marrickville to watch their boy who was also celebrating his 25th birthday.
A passionate cheer went up as the Molong product took the field at the start of the second half.
A cheer that many were worried would never come. A cheer 896 days in the making.
"Every day that I sat in hospital, I thought about getting out on that field and today I got the opportunity," he said.
"My whole family's here. It was very emotional, but I feel like I'm well prepared. I wouldn't put myself out there if I didn't think I was in the right position."
Cody had a quick catch-up with teammate Blake Lawrie – who has been by his side throughout his journey – when he left the field with 10 minutes on the clock.
"I walked over to Blocka first and he got me going a little bit," Cody said.
"I was already a little bit emotional walking off, and then as soon as I saw my partner and my little girl on the side of the field, you know, you can't really contain it. I never thought that they'd be able to watch me play a game of football, and today they got the opportunity to."
I never thought that they'd be able to watch me play a game of football, and today they got the opportunity to.
The scenes of Ramsey sharing a moment with his young family post-game will leave an imprint on all present, but he is adamant that his journey back has only just begun.
"I just want a good year, you know, no hiccups," he said.
"Just keep playing and then you just keep playing and the rest will come pretty much. So, I'll just keep trying my heart out, hopefully get the footy going and then, you know, see what happens after that."
Ramsey's first half-hour back on field was spent at fullback. While there were no grand headline moments, he got stuck into his work with a half-dozen carries, while also defusing several kicks and putting together some dangerous touches in attack.
