The Moving Story Behind Jesse Ramien's Latest Tattoo
Professional rugby league star Jesse Ramien has unveiled an incredible new back piece that tells the deeply personal story of his son's traumatic premature birth. The Cronulla Sharks centre, known for his extensive body art, collaborated with tattoo studios in Queensland and Indonesia to create this meaningful tribute.
Family Emergency in Bali
The artwork commemorates the birth of Ramien's son, Teo, who arrived six weeks premature in a Balinese hospital last October. The situation quickly became critical when medical staff needed to resuscitate Teo for five minutes following his birth. Ramien's wife, Shell, had been 33 weeks pregnant when they travelled, having secured clearance from her obstetrician, the airline, and their travel insurance.
The crisis prompted an extraordinary response from the rugby league community. The Cronulla Sharks and NRL worked closely with the Australian Embassy in Indonesia to expedite paperwork required to fly Teo to Australia for medical care. Meanwhile, players from rival clubs quickly rallied support through a GoFundMe page.
NRL Community Rallies Support
Among those who donated were prominent NRL figures including AJ Brimson, Keaon Koloamatangi, Sitili Tupouniua, Jacob Saifiti, Taane Milne and Hame Sele. Ramien's Sharks teammates also showed tremendous support, with Nicho Hynes, Siosifa Talakai, Briton Nikora, Jack Williams, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Blayke Brailey and Billy Burns all contributing to the cause.
The fundraising initiative sparked some debate among fans, given Ramien earns a reported $600,000 per year at Cronulla. One social media user commented, 'I get the premise, he's in a pickle, but come on man,' while another noted, 'This isn't reading the room very well. Most fans couldn't fathom what he gets paid.'
Family Priorities and Future Moves
The experience profoundly affected the Indigenous star, who returned to Bali last month to marry his partner Shell. Reflecting on the ordeal, Ramien emphasised how it reshaped his perspective. 'Family is everything for me,' he stated. 'You never want to go through something like that, but it shows you who you can lean on. We were lucky to have great people in our lives when it mattered most.'
As the 28-year-old looks forward, his professional future appears to be evolving. Ramien has been tipped to leave the Sharks at the end of next season, with North Queensland Cowboys reportedly interested in securing his services from 2027 onwards to strengthen their backline. While his management held talks with the Perth Bears, Daily Mail understands the expansion club is now pursuing other options.
