Gabby Logan has spoken candidly about the harsh realities of a sporting career, revealing she has warned her son to keep his “eyes open”. Gabby’s sporting pedigree is well established: she’s a leading BBC presenter and former gymnast, and her family clearly share her passion for sport.
The Match of the Day presenter is wed to former rugby player Kenny Logan, and the couple have twins, Reuben and Lois. Lois is an up-and-coming show jumper, while Reuben plays professional rugby union for Sale Sharks.
It appears Gabby, who is due to host the FIFA World Cup 2026, is under no illusions about the length of sporting careers, and is keen for Reuben to remain “interested in other things”.
She claimed “very few” sportspeople finish their careers “exactly when they want to” and “exactly on their terms”, later explaining that it’s “important to keep your eyes open”.
View 3 ImagesGabby is married to retired rugby player Kenny Logan, and they have two children(Image: Getty Images)
Gabby told the Villa4Ever Podcast: “You’ve got to have an interest or a hobby, I think, as well, is really important. My son is now full-time rugby player and, you know, he’s doing other courses and different things.
“And I say to him, you know, you’re…I know this is the most important 10 years, he thinks, is right now in his career, but it’s still important to keep your eyes open and to be interested in other things.”
She then jokingly added: “So, of course, I mean, what do I know? I’m just his mum.”
Gabby, whose late father, Terry Yorath, was also a professional footballer and played for Wales, reflected on the ups and downs of sports. She added: “What I’ve realised is, being professional at sport is so hard, you know? A lot of people want to do it, don’t they?
“A lot of people want to be experiencing that life. But the reason that very few get there is… it is just tremendously hard work. And it’s…you rely on so many different things going right for you at the right time.”
View 3 ImagesGabby claimed “very few” sportspeople finish their careers “exactly when they want to” (Image: Getty Images)
In other news, Gabby recently admitted that her family were left shocked when she suggested spending a year in France. Speaking on the Second Act with Ateh Jewel podcast, she addressed the “really crazy idea”.
She explained: “I remember coming down for breakfast once when the kids were about 10 and I said, ‘Guys, I’ve had this really crazy idea but I think it could be really good. Let’s go live in France for a year.
“[I told them] ‘the kids can learn French and I’ll commute to work.’ And honestly, you’d have thought that I had suggested we all join a commune in Ukraine or something.
“Nope, they nearly started crying. Ken said, ‘People can’t understand me [in England] anyway,’ because he’s Scottish.”
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Over the course of her long career, Gabby has presented coverage of such high-profile sporting events as the World Cup, FA Cup, Six Nations, Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games.
She’s also joined the line-up of hosts for Match of the Day alongside Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates following Gary Lineker’s departure.
Catch Gabby when she presents coverage of Canada v Bosnia and Herzegovina on BBC One tonight (June 12), from 7pm to 10.15pm.