Ken Sema: Watford midfielder surprised by reaction to stammer

Sema scored 2 goals against West Brom connected 20 February

Ken Sema was surprised.

But that little chat posted connected Twitter, a 1 infinitesimal 41 2nd speech astir his instrumentality from wounded and extremity technique, blew up.

His stammer had caught the attraction of millions. He conscionable thought he'd had a bully game.

"For the video to go truthful big, it was astonishing due to the fact that determination was truthful overmuch love, truthful galore large names similar 'role model', 'inspiration' - that I'd helped truthful galore kids oregon adults who besides person a stammer," midfielder Sema told BBC Breakfast.

The 29-year-old has made much than 100 appearances for the Hornets since joining from Ostersunds FK successful 2018, astir 5 years successful which helium has conducted countless interviews. Yet this 1 was antithetic and has, astatine the clip of writing, racked up much than 11.5m views connected Watford's Twitter relationship alone, and millions much elsewhere.

"I didn't expect it, but I'm blessed astir it, thankful astir each remark and if I tin help, I'm present to help," helium said.

For Sema, his stammer has "felt normal, a portion of me" since helium was six years old, the property astatine which it "just came" on arsenic helium grew up successful Norrkoping, a metropolis successful the eastbound of Sweden.

It posed small other occupation arsenic helium learned English arsenic a 2nd language, and helium has refused to fto it laic barriers successful his path.

"Obviously I had immoderate days wherever I was a small spot much nervous," said Sema, who has 14 caps for his country. "But it ne'er affected maine successful a mode that [I thought] 'I can't bash it'.

"I ever had this imagination to go a footballer. I didn't spot this arsenic an issue.

"I effort to accidental everything I think, it doesn't specify maine arsenic a idiosyncratic similar 'this is Ken with a stammer'.

"I don't spot it that way."

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