Booze battle for new Giants star Edwards
I’VE QUIT DRINKING, SAYS NEW ZEALANDER WHO ADMITS HE WAS AN ALCOHOLIC AT AGE OF 12
HUDDERSFIELD Giants’ new signing Kenny Edwards has told how he has quit the booze – after being an alcoholic from the age of 12.
The New Zealand star – who has previously been sacked by three NRL clubs and signed for Giants in
September – gave up drinking nine months ago as his addiction was destroying his life.
Edwards, 30, says he can not remember a weekend when he was not drunk since the age of 12.
Although he is from a broken home he says he will not use that as an excuse.
He said: “I was an alcoholic and partying when I was 12 but the sad thing is it’s not uncommon in New Zealand.
“Drugs, alcohol and abuse is very much in the New Zealand culture. I come from a broken home and didn’t have a father figure but I’m not using that as an excuse.
“I never played drunk or with a hangover in the NRL because it’s too demanding physically and mentally. But if we played on a Thursday night I’d then drink until we trained again on the Monday. I don’t remember not being drunk on a weekend since I was 12.”
Edwards saw his mother commit suicide and suffered domestic violence at the hands of his dad, reports the Mirror.
He was sacked by Manly, St George Illawarra and Parramatta and at the Eels alone missed 35 games for off-field disciplinary problems.
They included receiving a six-month good behaviour bond in 2017 after pleading guilty in court to pouring a drink over his partner Madison, the mother of his two kids, while she was in bed.
And Eels sacked him halfway through 2018 after he fled police when he was pulled over while driving on a suspended licence.
Madison has stood by him and Edwards admits he owes her a massive debt for helping him turn his life around.
Edwards, who is also completing a coaching course so he can help troubled youngsters, said: “We were high school sweethearts and she’s been a rock and a real pillar for me. We’ve been through a lot as a family but we’ve both come out the other side.”
He spent the last season and a half at Catalans Dragons but hopes the Giants will now see the best of a sober and fitter player.
He said: “I enjoy my life now more than I ever have. No party or bender is better than the life I have now.
“I’m not tempted one bit to have a drink again. When you’re not hungover you enjoy things much more.”