Like a lot of other players, I have been disappointed at different times this year when the actions of a small minority have cast a dark shadow over the entire league playing fraternity.
But to read the paper this week and see a player poll suggest that 60 per cent of respondents have been embarrassed to be a rugby league player just breaks my heart.
I love this game and owe so much of who I am and what I have to rugby league and the people involved in it. The same goes for the 400-odd blokes playing in the NRL and the countless other number of men and women rugby league has provided a living to through one way or another.
I am not trying to shirk the fact that we have taken a few hits to our credibility thanks to some serious indiscretions. But 95 per cent of players not only avoid such anti-social behaviour, but are wonderful contributors not just to the rugby league community but the community at large.
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