What was your reaction to Andrew Johns drug and alcohol confessions last night?

Question

Personally I was shocked and disappointed that someone that was suppose to have been a legend of league has turned out to be a such a 'LOSER'! What kind of a role model is he for his kids and his young fans? I'm a dragons fan and I love the NRL but Andrew 'druggy' Johns has really destroyed every kids' dream of wanting to grow up to be just like their idol which was Andrew Johns.

Answer 1

Its a surprise but why should people look schocked because he admits to having faults like the rest of us.  Who cares, it just goes to prove that he is human and people need a reality check.   I don't want to hear this c**p that he is a role modle.  He is only human like the rest of us has faults, I wouldn't dare to presume that I am perfect and to err is human.  Isn't it.

Answer 2

My reaction was supportive. He is only human. He is a shy, private person who was thrust into the limelight because of his spectacular ability to play rugby league, inspire his team mates and liven a sporting crowd. How many other people thrust into public scrutiny have failed our percieved "hero status". He is just an ordinary man, with ordinary failings with extraordinary football ability. And he never knocked back a single kid looking for an autograph. He is a humble man and at least he has the guts to stand before us all and admit to his failings like a man.

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." John 8:7

And "NO, I am not a knights or Johns fan, just a league fan from Queensland."

This should have been recognised earlier on. In his Newcastle Knights player profile he states the famous person he most admires is Liam Gallagher.

http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/about...

Answer 3

I commend his courage.I too am a life time dragons supporter and was very disappointed in joeys confession.My question to joey is would he of still come clean if he hadn't been caught with xtc in the UK...Were all sorry once we have been busted,,get away with it and who gives a F..

Answer 4

I was shocked and thought it unbelievable that he'd hidden drug use for all these years. It's a bit disappointing but he is human after all, kids have their other idols too. If anything he could later serve as a warning to kids not to use drugs.

I wonder if the powers that be still will want to 'Immortalize' him now. Yes, he may have made a huge mistake but that doesn't change the fact that he was an excellent league player - at least the drugs weren't perfomance enhancing.

Answer 5

Its very sad .

Answer 6

i am a warrington fan and he is loved around here  .  he is so polite and for a superstar legend that he is always has the time of day for a chat and a word about things . you would never had guessed that he aparranty suffers from depresion and alcohol dependency . if he needs help lets make him get it and then let crusade to rid the sport we all love of this menace of drugs  . good luck  ALL OFF WARRINGTON ARE BEHIND YOU   .

Answer 7

Yes he is a human being, still as a role model he should have had the brain to cut the c**p and be a set a good example.I personally hope he never receives the honour of being named an immortal!!!

Brad Fittler is a much more worthy candidate, and should always have been next in line to become the next immortal he  was a better player too.

I cant believe he never got caught, he should hang his head in shame and sort himself out before reappearing in the public eye.

Answer 8

I had my son brainwashed to support Manly until he started admiring Andrew Johns and then he started following the Knights. For the last 7 years, all he ever wanted to do is play  like Johns.

Every time the Knights and the Eagles play, we drive 6 hours each way to watch the game. My young bloke loved to see Andrew Johns play, he had his jersey with Joey on the back and his Joey flag. My son just loved him...

Now I have to sit down with him tonight and have another talk to him about drugs and how his Idol is a drug user.

Andrew Johns was the best footballer I have ever seen, he was amazing and he should of been remembered as that. But now, how can a man that had millions of kids adoring him be remembered as a legend, when he abused drugs all his playing life?

I know it is a big let down for my son, and he is only 1 of millions of kids that looked up to the guy.

And how many kids are going to think that Johns played 12 years of amazing football while taking drugs, so drugs can't be that bad after all?

Answer 9

Firstly i want to say I do not like him any less than I did before this happened. He is a great footy player and thats it.

The pressures he had to deal with would be difficult fo anybody to handle but still he had a lot going for him so can't understand why he could be a depressed drug user like the news is saying. Having to quit what he loves would have been so hard so maybe thats why.

It shocked me to find out he was using drugs all that time.

i must say though his excuse was pretty lame "a stranger shoved it into my jeans pocket in a night club"  i mean he did something bad he should have just owned up to it straight away.

But anyway i still have respect for him.

What you said is very harsh there are so many people that use drugs for less reasons he did. Until this he was (i think) one of the best role models for kids from the nrl so dont be so agro.

Answer 10

oh well he is human afterall, well do you think he would have taken most of those risks if he wasnt high on something - feeling euphoric and untouchable

Answer 11

I'm just sad. His amazing ability on the field will now always be tarnished by the deceit. His achievements on the field always measured  and judged. I hope for Andrew's sake he finds redemption and forgiveness, and displays the courage I don't think is unreasonable to expect from a former captain of Australia.

Answer 12

i totally agree with you hellsbells what a wanker andrew johns is ,taking drugs and then blaming it on the fame hype pressure of being a star DEEPRESSED what the f***k for he has money fame first grade footballer capt of aust nsw something that hundreds of young guys would kill for and he had it . what kind of a father is he too ,hes over 30 years old so dont give me this c**p that hes only human and made a mistake , he admitted to using for 10 years+ how many mistakes can a person make,lets just use his immortal spot for a real legend like BRAD FITTLER.

As for saying he's only human, is a copout. Where is it written that being human is an excuse for doing things that are quite clearly wrong and illegal.every one is commending him for coming out and telling the truth. but it took him being caught, his management team having a crisis talk, and them coming up with this stunt to try and save face and keep his reputation. i just hope for HIS children sake he has woken upto himself now

Answer 13

u *****!!! he ain't a losser or a drugo. he made mistakes, he didnt cheat or harm any 1.  its a shame there are ppl like you out there.

Answer 14

I was also quite shocked, but once you take everything into account...

I know it's no excuse at all, but I don't think many people understood how much pressure he was under. Newcastle is a relatively small community, everyone knows he surfs at Merewether beach and he couldn't go anywhere without being harassed. I wouldn't have liked to be in his shoes at all. Besides, not many people knew how he was before that...lets just say he had a big ego.

He came out so honestly and said everything, that has to be commended. He could have handled this a lot worse - but he didn't try to hide behind anything or play the blame game.

Having said that, ecstacy isn't a performance enhancing drug. He said that he didn't normally take it during the season. Thus, Joey is still one of the greatest players to play the game. Do you think that taking ecstacy gave him the insight that he had into the game? You think drugs gave he the ability to break defensive lines and kick conversions? No. Drugs or no drugs, he still came up with those plays and those kicks. That was still him, his mind. He still turned up to play, even with depression, didn't he? 249 games at that.  Kids can still aspire to play like him, but not be like him. Be better.

I'm a Newcastle fan, so I will defend Johns if I can. I'm not saying that it was right or that it doesn't matter - drugs are serious and a lot of people have been let down by this, it will stain his reputation for sure, but you can't let this take away everything he did. I don't think anyone is saying that Johns didn't deserve the play State of Origin or Test football. Joey still has a lot of influence, and if he can make right out of this then it wouldn't have been for nothing. Sometimes you have to hurt to make things better.

(and I think it's overdoing it with Andrew 'druggy' Johns. I ask, what would you have done?)

Answer 15

Hes disgraceful and he should NOT be allowed to play again - he is NOT a role model - and he should be ASHAMED. How many more of them are there in all the footy codes? Im starting to think its RIFE!!!!! ALL OF THE FOOTBALL CODES AND LEAGUES NEED TO GET THEIR **** TOGETHER BEFORE THE PUBLIC WALK AWAY AND LEAVE THEM WITH NOTHING!!! THEIR CREDIBILITY IS SHOT TO PIECES! SHOWS THEY ARENT SERIOUS IN CRACKING DOWN ON DRUGS!!! SHAME ON ALL OF THE CODES!!!!!

SHAME

SHAME

SHAME

I agree with sea eagle - how many kids are going to be told that they arent quite up to it so turn to drugs to enhance their ability or how many think that if you take drugs you too can be as good as Andrew Johns - for all the great deeds he did, its all undone by what he will possibly do to kids in the future