Alex McKinnon and wife Teigan 'split after five years of marriage'

Former Newcastle Knights star Alex McKinnon and his high school sweetheart Teigan have reportedly split after five years of marriage and three children together.

The pair separated in January after 12 years together and are not commenting publicly on the break-up, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

The split is amicable and they are committed to co-parenting their children, twins Audrey Jill and Violet John, and eldest daughter Harriet.

Former Newcastle Knights star Alex McKinnon and Teigan have split amicably after five years of marriage 

The pair - pictured here at the 2017 Dally M Awards - were high school sweethearts

Alex had proposed to his high school sweetheart from his hospital bed just days after his promising NRL career was cut short in March 2014, when he suffered a devastating spinal cord injury during a round-three match against Melbourne Storm.

He suffered fractures to his C4 and C5 vertebrae after a dangerous tackle close to half-time and was left a quadriplegic.

Alex and Teigan tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in the NSW Hunter Valley in October 2017 and welcomed Harriet into the world one day before their first wedding anniversary the following year.

McKinnon had promised his bride that he would rise from his wheelchair when he popped the question, and he did just that at their wedding.

Alex McKinnon (pictured left) and his wife Teigan (right) have announced they have split up

The day before the ceremony, Teigan wrote to her followers on Instagram, 'Tomorrow is the day we say "I do" to the rest of our lives.'

The former Knight later reminisced about being able to leave his wheelchair during their stunning ceremony. 

'If we had to do that again I don't know if I could do it, it was just everything just aligned on that day and it was perfect.

'Even after the ceremony myself and Teigan stood together in front of everybody there and got photos and it still blows my mind.

When McKinnon proposed to Teigan he promised he would be on his feet at their wedding - and he was true to his word 

Teigan McKinnon is pictured with her twins Audrey Jill and Violet John. She has announced she has split up with her husband Alex McKinnon

'I had my hands locked in when I stood and I just kept crying and crying and I couldn't even see when she turned up, I was in tears so much.

'Even after the ceremony myself and Teigan stood together in front of everybody there and got photos and it still blows my mind.

'I had my hands locked in when I stood and I just kept crying and crying and I couldn't even see when she turned up, I was in tears so much.'

Shortly after daughter Harriet was born in 2018, McKinnon revealed he had 'made peace' with the effects of the injury that changed his life forever.

Shortly after the birth of eldest daughter Harriet (pictured), McKinnon revealed he had made peace with the injury that changed his life forever

'I used to always think I would want to go back and I would want my old life back, but I have moved on. I really have. I never thought I would be able to say that but life just so different now.

'I understand in each experience you can learn something from it and I am very lucky and happy with the life that I have right now... I really have [found peace]. I feel really comfortable in myself and I know me.'

The couple announced they were expecting twins in November 2020 and said they were left speechless when their GP broke the news.

The arrival of twins Audrey Jill and Violet John in April 2021 left the couple overjoyed, with Alex saying, 'I'm an only child and so we always wanted a big family. I guess we've got our wish, that's for sure'

'We're extremely grateful - with a million different emotions,' Alex said.

'I'm still trying to get my head around all that stuff like two baby seats, two cots, two high chairs… it's amazing how the rollercoaster of life works.

'I'm an only child and so we always wanted a big family. I guess we've got our wish, that's for sure.'

When the twins were born Teigan said it felt 'so natural' to welcome both of the girls into the world.

'Alex took Violet in his arms and Audrey was placed on my chest,' she said of the tender moment.

'In that moment, as the twins cried for each other, it was extremely overwhelming.' 

Teigan McKinnon (pictured centre, holding daughter Harriet) and Alex McKinnon (right) when they announced she was pregnant with twins

She went on to say how it was clear the twins were aware of their own special bond.

'They both arrived crying, but in our first sign of how close they are as twins and little babies, they stopped crying as soon as we placed them together on my chest.' 

Alex recently left his job at the Newcastle Knights, where he was the recruitment officer. 

He is now studying at university and working for Fox Sports as a sideline reporter and analyst.