The Rugby League fraternity has been stunned by the admission by Australian legend Andrew Johns that he took recreational drugs for the last 10-12 years of his illustrious career.
The former Kangaroos, New South Wales and Newcastle Knights superstar was caught by British police in possession of Ecstasy, admitted that someone had put the drug in his pocket, and then brazenly admitted that he was considering taking it. Johns, 33, then truly ground it in by saying he had been taking substances for over a decade, admitting he had been battling depression.
I don't mean to sound callous but I think this is disgraceful. The issue highlights the unfair divide between the sporting elite and the common man.
If I was lucky enough to be a professional sportsperson, I'd be pretty clean. Like everyone, I have had my fair share of parties and brandies but I hate feeling like cr*p the next morning - and know that my everyday life, my job, my relationship and my well-being suffer with the inevitable lows that come after having the inevitable highs.
Johns should know better. He has tarnished the game with his frank admission. People like him and other noted examples like Lote Tuquiri need to get something into their heads. They are superstars. They are in essence demi-gods (on the basis that immortality is achieved when you have people looking up to you, even worshipping you). They get the big money and the fame not only for their on-field exploits - but for being ambassadors for the game 24 hours a day.
Wayne Pearce, a former Rugby League legend, and others have closed ranks, supporting Johns and feeling sorry for him. This makes me also draw some parallels between the infamous West Coast Eagles saga with Ben Cousins. Both Pearce and supporters of Johns and Cousins have made incredulous statements like "a nine-to-fiver (ordinary person) isn't under intense scrutiny and can get away with such indiscretions" and "most people don't understand the intense pressure that these stars are under".
If an 'ordinary person' has a problem there are two clear differences. Yes, maybe their indiscretions don't get media exposure but they do not have the support network that these stars have access to. Cousins was flown to America to an all-expenses-paid drug-treatment retreat. He is now playing top level again, less than 12 months after his admission. An NRL player can be tested positive for substance abuse, and is then given a free chance, and full access to counselling, treatment and is offered a second life.
Do ordinary people get this? Have you known anyone who has suffered with alcohol, substance or even basic depression? Most people never can solve these issues and carry them for life.
Secondly, ordinary people struggle day to day. Mortgages, bills, saving for years to buy things that we dream of. When we have a bad day at work, we must carry it home on our own shoulders.
Tuquiri was unrepentant for his recent indiscretions when out till 5am. If I was out until 5am when working, I would be useless the next day, and would bear the burden myself. Yet the earner of a \$6,000,000 contract complains about constant media scrutiny and being made an example of. Johns was reportedly on contracts exceeding \$1,000,000 annually.
Maybe I would, maybe I wouldn't - but I would take a fair bit of media intrusion if I had no financial problems. When you represent a code at the highest level, you are watched, and you need to take a bit of responsibility.
Think of the work, the hardships, the problems, that ordinary people face every day. We receive no media attention but if we were under scrutiny, we would then have access to a support network to enable us to cope.
Maybe the only person that judges me is the face that stares back at me in the mirror each day - the harshest judge of them all. And sometimes you just need to grow up and take responsibility for your own actions.
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