‘It’s embarrassing’: Eels star breaks silence after fine doubled for ‘sexual touching’ conviction
Brown 'embarrassed' by his mistakes | 01:32
Martin Gabor from Fox Sports
July 11th, 2023 6:15 pm
A remorseful Dylan Brown says he’s “embarrassed” and will learn from an incident at a Double Bay pub last month that saw him suspended seven matches and fined by both the NRL and the Eels.
The Parramatta five-eighth pleaded guilty to two counts of sexually touching a woman without consent at the Golden Sheaf Hotel which saw Brown initially banned from playing under the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy.
That ban was lifted last week but the NRL then hit him with a seven game suspension, with Brown set to return in Round 23.
He was also fined $40,000 by the NRL, with half of that suspended, with the Eels imposing further sanctions on Tuesday.
That includes a $20,000 fine which will be donated to charity, as well as a comprehensive alcohol management plan, a presentation to the club’s juniors and ongoing professional counselling.
“I’m not asking for forgiveness because my actions weren’t good enough,” he told media on Tuesday afternoon.
“I’m trying to move on but obviously that’s hard, especially when you’re not playing. That’s probably the worst part is not being able to put up for my team. That’s who I feel I’ve let down the most (as well) as fans, the game and a lot of people.
“I’ve let myself down, but that’s something you can deal with internally. When you’re letting other people down, that’s where it starts to affect you.”
Brown got emotional and had to pause the press conference for a few moments when he started to talk about the effect this has had on his family. Picture; Adam Yip
Brown got emotional and had to pause the press conference for a few moments when he started to talk about the effect this has had on his family. Picture; Adam Yip
Source: News Corp Australia
Brown got emotional when talking about his mother and sister, explaining how upset he’d be if he found out that something bad like this had happened to them.
“That’s probably the most upsetting part,” he said.
“When it’s something you’ve done to yourself, it’s fine. But when it involves someone else, especially a female, it’s tough because I’ve got a mum and a sister.
“That’s why I was getting emotional before because I think about those people. If something happens to them then I wouldn’t be happy.
“They support me. I’ve got a lot of beautiful women around me in my family and friends, so when it was time to discuss, it was obviously a slap around the head, but they also understand who I am and that doesn’t uphold who I am as a person.
“I’m a role model in a way to a lot of people so that’s probably the worst part. I’m a role model to a lot of people, including my family. I’ve let them down. It’s not just me, it’s a lot of other people getting affected by this.”
There were calls for the 23-year-old to miss the rest of the season for what he did, and Brown says he would have copped whatever punishment came his way.
“I’m happy that she (the victim) went and complained because I shouldn’t be able to get away with things like that,” he said.
“It’s a good kick up the arse for me and I’ve definitely thought about that every single day. It’s embarrassing.
“It (the punishment) is fair.
“I was ready to take whatever. I told everyone that I was willing to accept whatever penalty came my way, whether it be money or games.
“Now I’ve got to bite the bullet and understand that this is what’s going to happen. If I act up outside of footy then this is what I get.
“It’s a legal term. It’s not me doing a crusher tackle on the field – it’s not small like that. It’s something off the field that has affected a female, which you never intend to do, especially when you’re out.
“It’s embarrassing and I’m willing to take whatever.”
Brown reportedly told the court that he had consumed between 15 and 20 drinks that night before the incident, which is why he won’t be having any alcohol until he returns.
“Alcohol was a thing on the night, not that I’m making that an excuse,” he said.
“I shouldn’t be able to allow myself to get to that point and put myself in a position where I can make those bad decisions. Keeping away from alcohol is a temporary thing for me.
“There’s a plan that the club is helping me with. They understand that even though (drinking) is not a huge problem, it’s allowing myself into those positions where I can make bad decisions.
“For now, I’ve decided to stop drinking until I get back on the field and prove to myself that I deserve everyone’s acceptance.”
Brown has been training with the Eels while out suspended. Picture; Adam Yip
Source: News Corp Australia
Brown’s teammates have supported him over the past few weeks, with the five-eighth allowed to train with the club while he was stood down.
But he knows this is a line in the sand moment in his career, with the club well within its rights to sack him if he gets in trouble again.
“It’s a massive turning point,” he said.
“There are two ways I can react to this. I can use it as an excuse to go and play bad, or I can make better decisions on and off the field. It’s up to me. I’m going to put a line in the sand, step through and hopefully be a better person.
“It’s not a club thing, it’s not a last chance thing. It’s just me. You don’t want to be doing that regardless of what happens and the consequences of not playing.
“It’s up to me and representing myself and my family. I don’t want anything like that to happen again, whether that’s alcohol or female related. I want to be a player that people can look up to, and that’s on and off the field.”
Replies
Well done Dylan. You have owned this and your not hiding behind anything and acknowledging that Alcohol is your down fall. He is a young man who is paid seriously high amounts of money, adored by a legion of fans. Stuffing up as a 23 year old is a normal thing but in todays climate you can not behave like this.
Hope he comes back a new man in Round 23 and his freshness is a catalyst for this team to win a comp.
You can see by Dylan's remorseful interview, that he's a much better person than that, and he'll learn a lot from this experience. The fans are behind you.
A man owns his mistakes and fronts up. He did this and will be the better for it. He acknowledged his victim and said he is glad she reported it, as she should have. He realises he needed a square up and now he has had it.
Dylan sounds like a great role model for others who deny,deny,deny.
i think it will be difficult for him to stay away from the booze in a booze football culture.15 to 20 drinks in a session suggests he will find it very difficult to stay away from it .I would strongly suggest weekly sessions with AA. That is about the only way people can confidently stay away from it. The next first drink he has won,t be his last. Some people go to AA for 10 years + after their last drink.
That's what I couldn't understand. Did say he will stay awat from alcohol TILL He Comes back playing. That's what i just can't understand a statement like that
He's in denial. Actions speak louder than words.
Really mate?
Probably the most sincere apology from a footy player I've ever heard!
Particularly considering what he did was absolute milquetoast compared to what these knuckle head footy players typically do.
Disagree Tad, if he is strong enough he will handle it without AA, you only go to AA if you think you cannot.
You have dealt with a lot of losers and that colours your opinions. There is hope for self management before we go to the Nanny World of Wokism.
Binge drinking is not uncommon in todays culture and without knowing his particular drinking circumstances there is no need to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
My version of an alcholic is someone that needs to have a drink......I would not be surprised that Dyllan's need is the socialbility of drinking rather than the need.
I said all along that despite the rubbish charges and the poor way it was handled by the NRL it may well be a blessing as it will temper the social side, assuming he hasn't the need.
I'm sure you are a great counseller Tad, but equally sure you would have problems identifying the needs of many that you do not see. I look at is maintaing the vehicle before the accident, rather than picking up the wreck and trying to fix it. No questions there are plenty of wrecks out there but there are still some after an accident that can self manage.
We live in an intolerable society of not taking actions for what we do, it seems there is a massive industry of people out there that make livings on others misery and constantly telling people it is not "your" fault, where actually, it quiet simply is.
You only have to see the blame game that happens on our 1EE social media.
Hernun,
While I may not agree with your perspective, I prefer to focus on fostering constructive dialogue rather than labeling someone's thoughts as unintelligent. Intellectual diversity is valuable, and it is through engaging in thoughtful conversations…
Mate just ignore Flopper as his horse is so high he can't get off it. 🤣
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