SYDNEY – A TRIBUTE WRAPPED IN JOY: Roosters Skipper James Tedesco and Wife Maria Welcome New Baby Named After NRL Icon
The Sydney Roosters’ world was filled with pure joy and celebration this week, as their beloved captain James Tedesco and his wife, Maria Glinellis, officially welcomed a new addition to their growing family.
The couple, already parents to daughter Rosie born in September 2023, announced the birth of their second child—a bouncing baby boy whose name carries a legacy far beyond the Tedesco family home.
In a touching gesture that blends personal love with professional reverence, the Tedescos have named their newborn son after one of rugby league’s greatest icons, sparking waves of emotion across the NRL community.
.While the family has chosen to keep many of the finer details private, the message is unmistakable: this name is more than a tribute—it’s a symbol of inspiration.
A Name With Legacy
For Tedesco, naming his son after an NRL legend was not a decision made lightly. It was, instead, a carefully considered move that reflected his deep respect for the history of the game and the shoulders upon which modern players stand.
While the name itself hasn’t been publicly disclosed just yet—fueling intrigue and speculation from fans—those close to the family say the chosen icon holds a particularly meaningful place in James’s heart. One source noted that Tedesco had long admired the values, leadership, and integrity of this unnamed great, and that the decision to pass that name on to his child came from “a place of pure admiration and gratitude.”
What makes this tribute even more special is that it’s not simply about legacy—it’s about love, learning, and carrying forward the ethos of what it means to play the game the right way.
A Private Joy Shared with the League
Despite James Tedesco’s towering presence on the field as a dual-premiership winner, Clive Churchill Medalist, and representative icon, he has always approached family life with a refreshing sense of grounded humility. That same humility was on full display as he and Maria quietly welcomed their second child into the world earlier this week.
Close friends of the couple revealed that the baby was born healthy and full of energy—a promising start for someone who may one day grow up surrounded by rugby balls and Origin replays. The couple is said to be “over the moon,” with Tedesco reportedly taking time away from training to soak in the early moments of newborn life.
Teammates from the Roosters shared messages of congratulations, and club officials are planning a private celebration to honor the family’s special moment.
The Power of Timing
The timing of this new arrival couldn’t be more poignant. As the Roosters find themselves fighting for position in a tightly contested NRL ladder, this personal victory offers a heartwarming balance to the pressure-filled grind of professional sport.
And for Tedesco—who has faced public scrutiny over his form and ongoing competition with young fullbacks in both club and representative arenas—the birth serves as a powerful reminder of what matters most.
“Football is everything, until it isn’t,” one source close to the club said. “James is the ultimate competitor, but when you see him holding his baby, everything slows down. That’s the real win.”
It’s a sentiment many players understand but few speak openly about. The birth of a child has a way of putting life—and sport—in perspective, and for Tedesco, it has brought renewed clarity.
Maria: The Steady Rock Behind the Rooster
While Tedesco’s name often dominates headlines, those close to the couple know the steady presence of Maria Glinellis has been instrumental in shaping the life they now enjoy. Married in a stunning ceremony in January 2023, the couple’s journey has been a blend of shared dreams, family values, and unwavering support.
Maria, known for her grace and strength, has embraced the demands of life with a high-profile athlete while maintaining a private and nurturing home. Friends describe her as “the calm in the storm” for James, and someone who’s always reminded him of what lies beyond the roar of the crowd.
Their daughter Rosie, born just 10 months ago, is already said to be fascinated by footy balls and backyard playtime with dad. Now, she has a baby brother to grow alongside—and perhaps, in time, pass on the same values that the Roosters captain holds dear.
Fans and Players React
News of the Tedesco baby tribute has spread rapidly across social media, with fans offering their congratulations and praising the symbolic nature of the chosen name. While speculation around the specific NRL legend continues—some guess it could be Johns, Fittler, or even Minichiello—the consensus is the same: the gesture is deeply touching.
Former and current players have chimed in as well.
“That’s what this game is about,” said one former Roosters teammate. “You respect the ones who came before you. Naming your kid after a great—it says everything about James.”
Club legend Anthony Minichiello, a known mentor to Tedesco, shared a simple but powerful message online: “Proud of you, brother. Big love to the family.”
A New Chapter for the Tedescos
As James Tedesco prepares to return to Roosters duties in the coming days, it’s clear that his heart will be firmly anchored at home. This new chapter, written with love and laced with legacy, speaks volumes about the kind of man he is—not just a fearless leader in the NRL, but a devoted father and husband.
The game will continue, the headlines will come and go, but within the walls of the Tedesco home, a name echoing greatness has just taken root.
And in that name—chosen with purpose and pride—lives the unbreakable connection between the past, present, and future of rugby league.
