“The 18-Year-Old Decision”: How Rod Stewart’s Life Choice Shaped His Son Liam’s Passion for Hockey

Every major artist faces a defining crossroads, a single decision that sets the course for everything that follows. For Sir Rod Stewart, that moment arrived at age 18. Long before the fame, the stadium tours, and the raspy voice that would sell over 250 million records worldwide, a young Stewart had to choose between two dreams: a career in football (soccer) or a life devoted to music.

That choice—to embrace the unpredictable, creative path of music—would not only change his life but eventually echo in the next generation. Decades later, Rod’s son Liam Stewart faced a similar turning point, guided by his father’s wisdom and courage to follow passion over predictability.

⚽ From Football Fields to Folk Clubs

In his teenage years, Rod Stewart was as serious about football as he was about music. A devoted supporter of Celtic Football Club, he trained diligently and even considered pursuing football professionally. But while the pitch demanded discipline and routine, music offered freedom and soul.

By his late teens, Stewart’s love of performance had taken over. He busked on the streets of London and Paris, soaking in the culture and learning to connect with audiences. That path was far from glamorous—he famously worked as a gravedigger to make ends meet and was even deported from Spain in 1963 for vagrancy while traveling with folk singer Wizz Jones.

Those humble beginnings laid the foundation for his ascent through bands like the Jeff Beck Group and Faces, eventually leading to a groundbreaking solo career. When “Maggie May” hit the airwaves in 1971, it wasn’t just a hit—it was a declaration of independence from the life he might have led on the football field.

🏒 Liam Stewart: A New Kind of Ice-Cool Performer

Like his father, Liam Stewart—born to Rod and model Rachel Hunter—was faced with a defining decision in his youth. Despite growing up in a household steeped in both music and football fandom, Liam chose a different arena: ice hockey.

Backed by what he’s described as “seven pieces of dad’s advice,” the essence of Rod’s guidance centered on passion, hard work, and courage to be different. “He told me, ‘Find something you love enough to give everything to,’” Liam once shared.

And he did just that. Liam’s journey began in California, far from his father’s London roots, before he moved to pursue hockey at a competitive level. Joining the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League (WHL), he proved his mettle with 57 goals and 132 points in 251 games between 2011 and 2015.

🌍 Skating the World: A Global Hockey Career

Liam’s professional path mirrored his father’s global reach—crossing leagues, countries, and milestones:

• ECHL: Alaska Aces and Quad City Mallards
• EIHL: Coventry Blaze and Guildford Flames
• NIHL: Milton Keynes Lightning

One of Liam’s proudest moments came in 2017, when he represented Team Great Britain at the IIHF World Championship Division 1B in Belfast. His goal in the 5–1 victory over Estonia helped secure a gold medal for the team—an achievement Rod celebrated joyfully online.

In the 2022–23 NIHL season, Liam capped his career with a stellar performance for Milton Keynes Lightning, racking up 82 points (44 goals, 38 assists) in 53 games before stepping back to focus on family life.

🎸 Like Father, Like Son—In Spirit, Not in Stage

Rod Stewart’s decision at 18—to chase his creative instincts instead of conventional success—became a family philosophy. Both father and son carved distinct paths by trusting intuition over expectation.

For Rod, the reward was a lifetime of hit records and a place among rock’s elite. For Liam, it was the satisfaction of defining his own version of success, one built on perseverance, independence, and passion.

As Rod once put it, “The best thing you can teach your kids is to be brave enough to be themselves.”

And in that sense, whether it’s under stadium lights or rink spotlights, both Stewarts have more in common than ever—a shared legacy of following their hearts.