Ted Whitten jnr
Encyclopedia
Edward James "Ted" Whitten Junior (born 15 March 1957) is a former Australian rules football
er in the VFL
.
As the son of Hall of Fame
VFL
legend Ted Whitten Sr., Whitten was in the media spotlight from a very young age and was expected to achieve big things and follow in the footsteps of his father. As a youngster in junior leagues, he was put on a heavy tag, solely due to his name.
Whitten made his debut in 1974 at his father's club Footscray
, but was only recruited after rumours circulated that he was considering joining rival team South Melbourne
.
In 1974 Whitten made his VFL
debut at 17 years of age, and while he could not live up to the high standards set by one of the greatest footballers of all-time in his father, Whitten turned out to be a very good player. He represented Victoria in State of Origin
and went on to play 144 games and kick 133 goals between 1974 and 1982. Sadly, his career was terminated in the 1982 season after he suffered a terrible knee
injury
. Due to the less advanced sports medicine
of the day, it was a sad way to end his career (at only 25 years of age), the same way that John Coleman's career was ended. The knee has now been reconstructed.
When he made his Debut into VFL, he was the first player to play through all levels of the then VFL, from the Little League through Reserves and then the First Team - all for the same Club.
In later years, Whitten help set up the EJ Whitten Legends Game, a charity football match raising funds for prostate cancer
research, which took his father's life.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er in the VFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
As the son of Hall of Fame
Australian Football Hall of Fame
The Australian Football Hall of Fame was established in 1996, the Centenary year of the Australian Football League, to help recognise the contributions made to the sport of Australian rules football by players, umpires, media personalities, coaches and administrators. It was initially established...
VFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
legend Ted Whitten Sr., Whitten was in the media spotlight from a very young age and was expected to achieve big things and follow in the footsteps of his father. As a youngster in junior leagues, he was put on a heavy tag, solely due to his name.
Whitten made his debut in 1974 at his father's club Footscray
Western Bulldogs
The Western Bulldogs are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based at the Whitten Oval in West Footscray, an inner-western suburb of Melbourne...
, but was only recruited after rumours circulated that he was considering joining rival team South Melbourne
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
.
In 1974 Whitten made his VFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
debut at 17 years of age, and while he could not live up to the high standards set by one of the greatest footballers of all-time in his father, Whitten turned out to be a very good player. He represented Victoria in State of Origin
Interstate matches in Australian rules football
Australian rules football matches between teams representing Australian colonies/states and territories have been held since 1879. For most of the 20th century, the absence of a national club competition and international matches meant that football games between state representative teams were...
and went on to play 144 games and kick 133 goals between 1974 and 1982. Sadly, his career was terminated in the 1982 season after he suffered a terrible knee
Anterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
injury
Injury
-By cause:*Traumatic injury, a body wound or shock produced by sudden physical injury, as from violence or accident*Other injuries from external physical causes, such as radiation injury, burn injury or frostbite*Injury from infection...
. Due to the less advanced sports medicine
Sports medicine
Sports medicine is a branch of medicine that deals with physical fitness, treatment and prevention of injuries related to sports and exercise...
of the day, it was a sad way to end his career (at only 25 years of age), the same way that John Coleman's career was ended. The knee has now been reconstructed.
When he made his Debut into VFL, he was the first player to play through all levels of the then VFL, from the Little League through Reserves and then the First Team - all for the same Club.
In later years, Whitten help set up the EJ Whitten Legends Game, a charity football match raising funds for prostate cancer
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
research, which took his father's life.