15yr old: Why did you do it Joey?
After the news of Andrew Johns and his drug problems broke in the past 24 hours, NRL News has received a substantial amount of email from our readers. We thank everyone for their comments and opinion and always welcome feedback at NRLfeedback@gmail.com
One particular reader, Rhiannon Fuller a 15 year old from the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria - wrote a long email about her thoughts on the Andrew Johns situation. An avid Rugby League fan, formerly from Cootamundra where she was introduced to the NRL as a youngster.
Rhiannon spent plenty of time watching her brothers play first grade and was a regular at Canberra Raiders games. Rhiannon is concerned for her cousin, a massive Andrew Johns fan as were many around the country - who now have to come to terms with the failings of their hero.
Rhiannon Fuller a 15 year old, powerfully writes;
A lot of young kids this week will be extremely devastated after they saw their rugby league hero on the television confessing to drug and alcohol abuse.
Sunday the 26th of August was a big wake up call to not only to Joey John’s, but also to the whole NRL organisation.
It disgusts me that such a heralded footballer would not only put himself to shame for something as low as this; but also hurt his Newcastle, Australian and NSW teammates - including many other teams he has contributed to over the 12 years of his football career.
For someone who holds so many club and overall NRL records - we expected a lot better of him. The sad thing is he is idolised by so many young boys and girls who follow the sport. The respect for our skipper has plummeted to an all time low.
My question is, how can someone like Andrew John’s who has everything honestly be depressed? He has been supported by his parents his whole life, his older brother Matty John’s has played by his side and helped guide him through his career, his wife and little boy give him his inspiration and his loyal fans praise him and hope to be as good as him one day.
Joey claims he was under pressure “and stuff”, but all he had to do was play the sport he’s best at. He didn’t just pull off winning the Dally M - 3 times or the Clive Churchill Medal or Rugby League Week’s player of the year award 3 times with good looks. He was a brilliant player and all we wanted to see was John’s do our state or country proud. It wasn’t much to ask considering he loved the sport himself.
Something else I don’t understand is when he’s sitting next to former coach Phil Gould with no look of guilt in his eye he states, "Well you play on a Friday night and don't train on a Saturday or Sunday, then generally it's out (of your system) by Monday."
Why don’t you just sit there and tell everyone how you did it Joey, because you’re basically an expert. Ten years is a long time and that’s ten years people have believed and supported you unknown to your drug abuse. We made you who you are, we rewarded you and respected you.
Your name is all over the history of rugby league and all you have to say is "Generally during the off season but there's times when during the season I've run the gauntlet and played Russian roulette and taken it.”
You should take up professional gambling. You seem to think your pretty good at it yourself.
I’m not even a Knights supporter and I’m furious with your actions, I can’t imagine how a committed fan towards your former club feels.
