From Humble Beginnings to Premier League | Dean Windass | TEDxHessle

Dean Windass is one of the real characters of British football. In this talk, he will express what it is really like to be a professional footballer in the modern age - the big games and life away from the pitch. The equal importance of mental as well as physical health and his personal struggles with depression and alcohol.
This talk will examine the highs and the lows of a career and the contrast between on-field success and off-field problems and how to recover and start over.
Dean Windass, born in Hull, East Yorkshire, grew up in the Gipsyville area of the city and became a professional footballer for Hull City, Middlesborough, Aberdeen and Bradford City.
He became an overnight sensation after scoring the all-important winning goal that sent his hometown club Hull City into the Premiership for the first time in their history during the Wembley Play Off Final in 2008.
Dean played for Hull City in 3 spells and has been voted the 4th best player of all time by Hull City fans. He also enjoyed 2 spells at Bradford City, and is the club’s 3rd highest goal scorer of all time.
Dean retired from football in 2009 at the age of 40, after a lengthy career spanning 20 years, that saw him make over 700 appearances scoring more than 200 goals and playing for 9 clubs.
Off the pitch Dean’s personal battle with depression and alcohol is well documented. Following the death of his father, life after football became very hard which came to a head with two attempted suicides and a period in rehab.
Dean is now bouncing back, building up a media career as a sports commentator and after dinner guest speaker and has become Hull City Club Ambassador, the club’s first official appointment of this role. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@kennymoore7332]

What a beautiful honest guy you are Dean, love you to bits mate. Thank you from HULL xxxxx

[@scottishmau5]

I loved watching him playing for my beloved Aberdeen fc

[@philcordingley417]

Bradford City legend. Always gave 100% and loved by every one of us. I’m sure it was the same for all the other great clubs he played for.

[@alimackenzie2168]

Aberdeen fan here, I can confirm.

[@MatthewWeller88]

Deano! Great to hear your story sir

[@alimackenzie2168]

Deano I was a barman in Bell's Bar in Aberdeen when you were there, I remember finding you crying in a back corridor of the bar on a Saturday night after you had a good game.

[@oijimmyslay]

Love his story.

[@Richiewa1]

I was there at Wembley Delano. Always a legend to me.

[@k-efx8602]

Legend.

[@Round_Zero]

What a lovely man ❤️💯

[@cityullm53]

Very humble talk and Dean you are a hero to ever Hull City fan across the world. 🙌

[@robtaylor2454]

Legend, got his autograph on a program and was buzzing with it top bloke!!

[@luekezie4300]

Funny guy - keeps talking about his ex wife which is priceless- wish him & kids the best!!

[@sdstim]

Could smack a goal!

[@charliemendoza749]

Good honest decent man. So proud of you Deano...Wish Hull City had a character like you today