Former NRL player Mark Riddell admits he lied about age to extend career
Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 3:57 pm
Former NRL player Mark Riddell has admitted he lied about his age to extend his career, and claims other players do to.
Speaking on his Macquarie Sports Radio show this morning, Riddell said: "It's what we all do, all the footy boys once we get into the NRL we all change our birthdates so we can get extra years on our contracts."
Riddell played for the St George-Illawarra Dragons, Parramatta Eels and Sydney Roosters between 2000 and 2011.
He also played in England's Super League for the Wigan Warriors in 2009 and 2010.
The 38-year-old, who is now a rugby league commentator and radio host, claimed he was not the only player to lie about their age.
He said he was actually born in 1980 but "I changed it years ago so I could get an extra year out of my contract, my career".
When his co-host, Mark Levy, asked if he was joking, Riddell said: "I'm 100 per cent serious, all those footy cards you'll see players birthdate and you'd say 'please' as if that's his age, lets put that one back a few years."
The hooker attracted a cult following for his characteristic goal kicking style and cheeky try celebrations then went onto explain how players systematically falsified their age.
"At the start of each year you'd have to fill in your details — so the sooner you did it the better," Riddell said.
He said the lie went much further for some players.
"I retired when I was 31 so I didn't milk it too much, some of the boys out there that I played with, I'd take a look at their birthdate and go please, you're 28, mate, 31? What's doing?"
There is no age limit to play in the NRL.
The NRL has been contacted for comment.
https://www.msn.com/en-nz/sport/rugby-l ... li=BBqdhxG
Speaking on his Macquarie Sports Radio show this morning, Riddell said: "It's what we all do, all the footy boys once we get into the NRL we all change our birthdates so we can get extra years on our contracts."
Riddell played for the St George-Illawarra Dragons, Parramatta Eels and Sydney Roosters between 2000 and 2011.
He also played in England's Super League for the Wigan Warriors in 2009 and 2010.
The 38-year-old, who is now a rugby league commentator and radio host, claimed he was not the only player to lie about their age.
He said he was actually born in 1980 but "I changed it years ago so I could get an extra year out of my contract, my career".
When his co-host, Mark Levy, asked if he was joking, Riddell said: "I'm 100 per cent serious, all those footy cards you'll see players birthdate and you'd say 'please' as if that's his age, lets put that one back a few years."
The hooker attracted a cult following for his characteristic goal kicking style and cheeky try celebrations then went onto explain how players systematically falsified their age.
"At the start of each year you'd have to fill in your details — so the sooner you did it the better," Riddell said.
He said the lie went much further for some players.
"I retired when I was 31 so I didn't milk it too much, some of the boys out there that I played with, I'd take a look at their birthdate and go please, you're 28, mate, 31? What's doing?"
There is no age limit to play in the NRL.
The NRL has been contacted for comment.
https://www.msn.com/en-nz/sport/rugby-l ... li=BBqdhxG
