If the uber-elusive Darius Boyd were to hang up the boots right now and walk away from rugby league forever, what would his career best be remembered for?
Before you launch, let’s take a moment to temporarily extinguish our torches and put down our pitchforks. We can sum this up in an even-tempered, non-Origin manner.
We are talking about a two-time premiership player, a Clive Churchill medallist and a 19-game Origin representative with more tries in the format than everyone except Greg Inglis. There’s no doubt when it comes to his work between the white lines, the kid’s a serious baller.
On the other hand, on the rare occasions that he presents himself to the public, it’s become legend that he’s hardly a sunshine advocate like your peachy-swell Brady kids or Daly Cherry-Evans.
If you’ve been living Amish for the last years and don’t know what I mean, then just ask the Brisbane-based chapter of Channel Seven about their run-in with his forked-tongue in town this week. It was brutally arctic.
Whether or not he means to, Boyd comes across as surly and unapproachable, seemingly hell-bent on keeping his inner thoughts buried under his prickly exterior at any cost. In the eyes of many of the game’s followers, he just doesn’t seem like a bloke that you would share a beer with – a quality adored by the public.
So when he’s finished in the game, will his abrupt interview techniques and lack of societal connection overshadow his outstanding achievements on the paddock?
We know that it’s blessed talent and Wayne Bennett that makes him a cutlass on any footy field, so perhaps we should take a moment to try and understand why he loathes anything holding a microphone, notepad or camera.
Some say he simply holds a grudge due to the years-old story about his shady cubicle behaviour in a Brisbane nightclub. But perhaps it is an unexplainable disdain for the way the press go about their work in general? Or is he just overcapitalising on the Bennett book of communication philosophy?
Whatever the reasons, his conduct with those covering the game – while totally within his rights – is off the richter when it comes to being slippery and gruff. In comparison to the previous precedents of moodiness set by footballers scorned by the media, Boyd’s brush-offs and stink-eyes easily take the cake for the harshest of the modern era.
So should we understand his decision to give them – and subsequently us as the fans – absolute donuts outside of footy? Or is it totally acceptable for us to give him villain status because he deals exclusively in grunts and single syllables?
While some would say we should be judging our footballers purely on their on-field exploits, and that outside of the 80 minutes of game time they owe us nothing, in reality this is simply not the case.
Whether you’re old school or new vogue, you know how it works these days – elite footy is a business and those playing it are well-paid individuals who live a blessed lifestyle. Have your SUVs, your property portfolio and our fawning, on the proviso that you give us a little insight in to what happens off the field. Just nothing caught on a smartphone from inside the latrines though, thanks.
In saying all of this, whichever way you judge Boyd, you’re most probably right. Plus if you’re philosophical about the whole thing, you’ll notice he’s still a relative spring chicken at 26 years of age, meaning there’s plenty of opportunity before he calls time to experience an epiphany – if he seeks one, of course.
I’ve seen plenty of cantankerous athletes over the journey who have softened their stance on the media and opened themselves up to the public. It usually occurs after they experience some significant life event like a long-term injury, having children, seeing a cute puppy in a tissue ad at a moment of emotional weakness, or in most cases, when they realise retirement is imminent and they’re going to need a job in broadcasting.
So what’s the odds of Boyd one day changing his approach and opening up to the public to show us how he ticks? If I were a betting man – and I’m a very bad one – I would say the odds are low. This guy would play inside a bomb shelter if he could.
So in summary?
Boyd is an absolutely smashing footballer who plays like the clappers when he’s been paid, and he would be an excellent acquisition to any team I followed – but on current form, it’s not going to be enough to help me completely forget the other stuff.
Boyd has every right to a low profile, but his refusal to fulfil his responsibilities to the game’s wider duties may cost his fantastic playing career a well-deserved lifetime of unconditional acclaim.
Roarers. What emotion does Darius stir inside you? And how will he be viewed in time?
And please, no one-word answers or grunts.
Sandy Johnno
Guest
if you watched the alex McKinnon tribute on the footy show and saw darius talking about alex, you'd know that darius is very comfortable talking about a subject that means a lot to him and very articulate
Summer
Guest
Yea he could have delt with the situation better... On the other hand, people seem to forget that these players are only human and everyone had sh*#t to deal with... Not to mention he has just separated from his wife for the second time, would put anyone is a bad mood.
Esses
Guest
Apologies Mushi. I've not read the book. Is that "King Wally"? I have it somewhere I think. Like I said though, Alfie was super-nice to our kids.
JB
Guest
Steve Elliot, He is the young and you are the old goose.
mushi
Guest
Do I have to be that careful given the incident was detailed in Lewis's autobiography with names included? I said apparently simply because it wasn't something I witnessed first hand. should I have just said it as a statement of fact?
Esses
Guest
You have to be careful using names & "apparently". My wife, our 4 kids & myself were dining in Alan Langer's restaurant in Caloundra last year. He was at a table nearby with family & friends. I have a strict policy of not bothering "celebrities" in public so we didn't so much as speak to him. As we were about to leave, off his own bat he came over, said hello to us & all the kids (3 Rugby-playing boys & our Daughter), posed for a photo with the kids & signed a postcardy thing for them. Couldn't have been nicer. Great restaurant too :).
mushi
Guest
He didn't openly have epilepsy and tried to limit his exposure in order to avoid having a public episode as he feared what it would mean for his career if he "appeared" weak. So yep according to you he should hang his head in shame and I think, reading his post career bio, he does regret just not tackling it head on. I disagree to an extent as I think it is tough given he did cop derision from guys like Langer about it apparently You've got your experiences and that shaped your opinion but as a counter point I also ran into Wally once as a little lad and he was perfectly lovely and on another my mum got him to sign some stuff when he was having a meal and he was accommodating. it sounds like he was pretty volatile, and definitely he was arrogant - but not sure that separates him from many other top players
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
You mean, players are required to have morals but not the media?
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Haha I think you are giving Boyd waaay too much credit. I highly doubt that his thought process at the time of questioning was "how can I execute a cunning plan to destroy the media's attempt to invade my personal life?" It was probably more like "This is annoying me. Go away." Anyway, your theory doesn't make any sense because if he had just said something boring like " sorry to see him go" or "haven't had time to think about it yet after our origin win last night" it probably would've ended up being a throwaway grab on the evening news. By acting like a goose he has made it into a much bigger story than it is.
Hoy
Roar Guru
You don't know what was going on verbally on teh field either though Squid...
tfolk
Guest
It annoys me no end that there is this great belief that footballers need to be these terrific role models when off the field. The area where they excel is on the footy paddock and that in my opinion is all that matters. As a kid I wanted to be like my idols because of their feats with the ball in hand or when putting their shoulder into their opposition. That was all that mattered to me, and is all that still does. Yes occasionally, I may be interested to know what a player does when not playing but that is only to find out what they do to be the best. E.g. diet, training etc. Or how they may have changed their way to stay at the top of the sport as they get older or even why they have decided to move to a different club or even sport as long as it is the truth (money not just another challenge... please). This business of wanting them to be goodwill ambassadors for the sake of public opinion is unrealistic and the sooner that the public, media, and games administrators understand this the better. That's not to say that they should be given free slather to go around acting like fools but rather a realisation of who it is we are dealing with and what it is that we should really expect.
steve elliott
Guest
I think Boyd is a GOOSE, never thought much of him, never will.
George
Guest
We're not doubting their ability, but their personality. Nathan tinkler and clive palmer are very rich guys that by that measure are very successful, but are they nice guys?
Lemuel
Guest
Well Said! :-)
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
This is true. I'd also add that it wouldn't have hurt the media to choose someone else to question.
Rugby stu
Guest
I liked what Boyd did probably because I would do the same and by doing what he did it made him more interesting to me than footballers that just toe the line and say nothing of any value or significance.
Casper
Guest
a guy who new another guy told me a story about wally lewis & another guy? maybe the chinese aren't the only ones to suffer misleading whispers. Darius has had a chip on his shoulder about the reporting of his cubicle antics & how that upset his Gran who raised him. The other players involved (Sam & Karmichael) have moved on & get along with the media but not Darius. The media should just go to someone who will talk to them, there are plenty of wannabe media tarts out there. I reckon the Channel 7 stunt was all about getting the response they did so it would become a headline & Darius isn't smart enough to come up with a quick quip when confronted. If only he'd been able to come up with a line like "OMG is he leaving, do you know who I'll be playing for next year?"
Mals
Guest
If Darius wants to be left alone go play A grade suburban rugby league on the weekends & work a normal job Mon-Fri. No media person will bother him then.
Lemuel
Guest
Are You George Rose? :-)
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
+1