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

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.

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.

🎙 "It was an easy one!"

Ken Sema speaks following his match winning brace tonight! 🐐 pic.twitter.com/c8qv7GvNIw

— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) February 20, 2023

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.

"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."

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.

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".

"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."

Wow i didnt expect this kind of headlines! For me it was just an interview after a good game but i’m very thankful and emotionally touched for all love and kind messages i’ve received 🫶🏿🫶🏿#BeYourselfItsYourSuperpower pic.twitter.com/gddFyiNdQy

— Ken Sema (@Semaken) February 22, 2023

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.

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