• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Watford's Ken Sema opens up about having a stammer since the age of six

Home> Football

Published 10:12 10 Mar 2023 GMT

Watford's Ken Sema opens up about having a stammer since the age of six

Ken Sema suffers from a stammer but bravely conducted a post-match after Watford beat West Brom 3-2 last month.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Ken Sema has opened about suffering from a stammer since he was six years of age and branded it his "superpower" in a brilliant new interview.

Last month, the Sweden international went viral following Watford's 3-2 win over West Brom at Vicarage Road.

Sema struck twice, including the winning goal in the 78th minute. But it was what he did afterwards that saw him hailed as an inspiration and role model.

Advert

Sema spoke to Watford's official channels and gave his thoughts on the game, revealing how good it felt to bag a brace after being out with injury.

For many talking about the game they just played in is normal but it was incredibly brave of Sema, who quite rightly received praise and support aplenty for talking in front of the camera.

The clip has accrued over 40 million views online and Sema, who signed for the Hornets in 2018 from Ostersunds, could not believe the traction.

"All of a sudden, I did an interview, which was a normal thing to do because I've been here five years and I've done 10 to 15 interviews with cameras and everything, but this felt different, and it just blew up," he told Sky Sports.

Advert

"In the beginning, I was just thinking how come? I did a normal interview after winning the game and now I'm hearing things like, what a guy, a role model, inspirational and a hero.

"There was so much love. There was so much happiness and joy. I was touched emotionally because I didn't force anything. I didn't say anything because of it, it was just normal."

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

Sema first started to have a stammer, which causes involuntary pauses and the repetition of words, when he was six years old back in his native Sweden.

Advert

He saw a speech therapist but whenever he went he talked without any problems. He noticed he was speaking differently at around 10 but hasn't let it affect him.

The 29-year-old still belted out Ben E. King's 'Stand by Me' for his Watford initiation song and adopts a no-fear attitude.

And Sema very much welcomes the responsibility of being an example to others who also have speech difficulties, telling them to be "free to dream".

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

Advert

"If I was young and saw myself now, I'd think 'wow'. I'd think he's like me and if he can do it, I can do it. It's not like you can't become a footballer because you have a stammer.

"It's not an issue. If I can do it, then so can he or she. You don't have to stop your dreams. It's free to dream. Just try to be you because it is your superpower.

"As a human, you are always thinking of the worse, while others around you, your friends and family, they don't really care if you speak with a stammer sometimes. It doesn't affect the people around you."

Leeds United captain Luke Ayling heaped praise on Sema for his interview. He too suffers from a stammer and candidly opened up about the effect it has on his everyday life last year.

Advert

The former Yeovil player shied away from doing interviews for a long time and still hesitates when ordering at drive-thrus.

Featured Image Credit: Ken Sema, Sky Sports & Watford FC

Topics: Watford, West Brom, EFL Championship

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    De Bruyne and McTominay Forced to Follow Strict Napoli Rule after Leaving Premier League

    Napoli impose a harsh rule on their new signings ahead of Champions League clash

    Football
  • Getty Images
    2 hours ago

    Barcelona's Brightest Wonderkid Since Lamine Yamal Could Face Newcastle at 15

    He has travelled to England for Barca's Champions League opener.

    Football
  • dia images / Contributor via Getty
    2 hours ago

    FIFA Make Major Spain Announcement after Threat to Boycott 2026 World Cup

    The EURO 2024 winners received a huge boost following their boycott threat.

    Football
  • Getty
    2 hours ago

    Liverpool Create Piece of Champions League History With Win Over Atletico Madrid

    Virgil Van Dijk's late winner at Anfield achieved a Champions League first

    Football
  • Watford’s Ken Sema will inspire so many with his brave post-match interview
  • Luke Ayling Bravely Opens Up On Dealing With A Stammer After Years Of Avoiding Interviews