When it came to his future as a father or a football player, the decision was a "no-brainer" for Brisbane centre Jack Reed.
The 28-year-old England international announced on Wednesday his six-year, 126-game NRL career was over.
A shoulder injury sustained in June is behind the retirement, with surgery and rehabilitation unable to repair the joint to a point where it could stand up to the demands of first grade rugby league.
Reed said two months of pain and struggling to hold his young daughter had convinced him to pull the pin on his career.
"Obviously it wasn't an easy decision but at the end of the day, being a father rather than a football player, it was a no-brainer," Reed said.
"I knew in myself that I wouldn't be able to come back to the full extent to play at the level with the boys. It was tough but I knew it was best for me."
Reed arrived at Red Hill as a bricklayer with a dream before the 2011 NRL season.
Offered a trial by the Broncos, Reed would go on to play six seasons with the Broncos, represent England at the 2011 Four Nations and earn an NRL All-Stars jersey in 2012.
Reed was also part of the Broncos' grand final team last year.
"To do it for as long as I have is a massive thing," he said.
"Obviously you dream of that fairytale send-off, play into your late 60s like Parky (captain Corey Parker), get your premierships but it wasn't to be for me.
"I'll remember every moment like it was my last."
Broncos chief executive Paul White hailed Reed as a player who made the most of his talent but also a great clubman off the field.
"It's a sad day. He's been a champion of our club for the past five years," White said.
Reed is expected to be offered an off-field role with the Broncos in a game development position on the Sunshine Coast.
