American football legend Dan Marino has confirmed he fathered a love child with a Tv production assistant in 2005.

The former sports star has released a statement admitting he fathered a daughter with ex-CBS Sports employee Donna Savattere in 2005 after editors at the New York Post newspaper broke the story this week (beg28Jan13).

Savattere gave birth to a daughter, named Chloe, in 2005 and Marino insists he has accepted full responsibility for the child.

He is also adamant his marriage to his wife of almost 30 years, Claire, the mother of his six other children, remains strong.

His statement reads, "This is a personal and private matter. I take full responsibility both personally and financially for my actions now as I did then. We mutually agreed to keep our arrangement private to protect all parties involved. My wife and I have been married for almost 30 years and have six children together. And we continue to be a strong and loving family."

Marino, who has enjoyed cameo appearances in movies including Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Bad Boys Ii, has four sons and two adopted daughters with his wife.