BY JOHN DAVIDSON
Mikey Lewis is every bit your modern-day rugby league star.
Skillful, tough, a match-winner, entertaining to watch. And decorated in ink.
The Hull KR halfback has so many tattoos now he’s unsure how many are across his body in total.
“They’re shite aren’t they,” he jokes to rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads.
“I’ve got quite a few, I’ve lost count how many. I haven’t got one for a few years now, I think I’ve grown up.”
Lewis’ tattoos include the Roman numeral IV on his neck, his great-grandmother Joyce Silburn’s birth date and the large quote ‘Fear nothing in front of you because you know who’s behind you’ on his arm.
“It’s just a little quote,” he explains.
“I saw it and I liked it, so I thought it’s a little bit in my game. I got it and I reckon that’s the only one I like at the moment.
“The first tattoo I got was when I was about 18. I reckon I’ll get them covered up soon. I think it was just a phase of my life.”
Lewis has matured into one of Super League’s bona fide drawcards. Many will flock to Old Trafford today to watch him.
Becoming a parent at the age of 23 has also changed him. Lewis has knocked back interest from the NRL to stay with the Robins and watch his son grow up.
Romey won’t be at the grand final to see his father play because of his young age, but Lewis hopes he can attend games soon.
“Not just yet he’s a little bit too young,” he says.
“He’s only six months old. Next year, hopefully after his first birthday he can start coming and watch his Dad play. Hopefully get some ideas to be an athlete.
“But hopefully golf. Hopefully he picks up those golf clubs and says Dad I want to be a golfer.
“I can’t wait for him to come and watch me and share that feeling. And show him what Dad does for a living. I can’t wait.”
Family means a lot to the playmaker and his father Andy is always spotted at his games. Andy was just 21 when Mikey was born and the two share a tight bond.
“He was a young dad, he was 21 when he had me,” he says.
“Then my brother and sister, he was 24. He was very young. The bond we have is a love/hate relationship.
“We adore each other but there’s a little bit in us where we keep each other accountable. We just enjoy our time together when we are. I have that bond with all my family members.”
Lewis will be out to do them proud in the biggest game of the year. If Hull KR are to make history, like at Wembley, the halfback will be prominent.
“Sometimes my dad’s my biggest critic. He tries to pick me up when I’m down and that’s what my mum and dad do.
“They’re the best things in my life, along with Romey, my son. They’re there to support me all the way through my career and it won’t stop until I retire.”
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