Wendell Sailor enjoyed a hugely successful career on the football field, playing a leading role when the Brisbane Broncos won premierships in 1993, 1998 and 2000, but has had many problems outside of football in the last two years.
During his career playing at the top of Australian football, the 50-year-old would make 222 appearances for the Broncos and Dragons, returning a whopping 127 tries.
He would also represent Queensland in State of Origin before switching codes to become a bona fide star with the Wallabies over the course of 37 Test matches.
After announcing her retirement in 2009, Sailor would pursue a career in broadcasting and enjoyed success in her new career, holding several television panelist positions and working on Triple M’s Rush Hour show since 2015.
Wendell Sailor excelled for the Broncos and Dragons before switching to rugby and becoming a crossover star with the Wallabies.
The sailor’s time in Brisbane (pictured) saw him play a leading role in three premiership victories.
On Wednesday night, the 50-year-old man was arrested by police at a bar in Sydney’s CBD after he allegedly assaulted two people and intimidated another with the intention of causing them fear or physical harm.
Sailor has since stated that “nothing happened” but the bar manager who was on duty that night alleged the former NRL star’s behavior left his staff “petrified”.
The manager of Pappy’s Bar claims Sailor punched him in the chest and threatened him repeatedly before police arrived to arrest the former NRL star.
He claimed that the big maroons repeatedly shouted, ‘Do you know who I am?’ before also saying ‘You’re done’ on more than one occasion.
Sailor is now due to face Downing Center Local Court on all five charges on November 28.
It comes after he was also hit with an AVO in the days before the incident.
Sailor is due in court on that matter on November 13, capping a brutal two years for the cross-code star.
Sailor (pictured with former Broncos teammate Darren Smith in 1997) was one of the best football players on the planet in his heyday.
The 50-year-old scored 13 tries in 37 test appearances for the Wallabies during his union career.
The Queenslander was arrested by police at a bar in Sydney’s CBD and charged with an alleged assault.
Sailor opens up about the torment of his son’s sexual burden
Earlier this year, Sailor revealed the damage caused by her son Tristan’s rape trial.
The young NRL player had been charged by New South Wales police in 2020 after a woman alleged she was so drunk she had woken up naked with no memory of what happened, after a night out in Sydney.
Tristan was accused of having sex with the woman while she was unconscious or too intoxicated to consent, but was acquitted of the charges in March 2022.
The alleged incident came two weeks after he was released by the Dragons, and his father had attacked the club earlier this year.
“Only his closest family understands what happened a few years ago,” Wendell said.
‘At times I have shed tears over the journey he has been through.
‘I said, “Dude, don’t give up yet.” I was disappointed here in Australia, but I knew I had unfinished business with the NRL.
This year, Sailor spoke out about the torment she suffered when her son Tristan (pictured together outside court) was tried for rape.
He also criticized the Dragons for their treatment of his son, calling it “disgusting.”
‘I needed shelter. He needed to feel safe somewhere.
Wendell also criticized the Dragons for their treatment of his son, claiming they had treated him “badly.”
“The way Tristan was treated at the Dragons was disgusting,” Sailor told News Corp.
‘To be honest, it wasn’t just Tristan who was treated badly.
“Other Dragons kids have been sacked… the culture of the club hasn’t been good since Wayne (Bennett, former coach) left.”
Tristan would later play for the Broncos and signed a two-year contract to play for Super League side St Helens in August.
$100,000 legal battle
In June of last year, Sailor was sued for allegedly unpaid legal fees from his son’s trial that totaled more than $100,000.
Law firm Madison Marcus took action after successfully defending Tristan, and to make matters worse, Sailor’s son and wife, Tara, were also named in the legal action.
The case came at a particularly stressful time for Sailor, who was still recovering from the trauma of waiting to see if her son would be found guilty of a crime that can carry a sentence of up to 14 years in prison in New South Wales.
Madison Marcus’ case against the sailors was stayed in July, after they had it hanging over their heads for more than a year.
Sailor also faced legal action after a law firm representing his son sued him for allegedly unpaid legal fees amounting to around $100,000.
Big blow to star’s post-football media career
Sailor had immersed herself in the world of broadcasting when she appeared as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars in 2006. She would later work as a panelist for several shows on Fox Sports.
In May, he dropped the explosive news that he was set to leave his radio role at Triple M, where he had worked for almost 10 years.
“I won’t call any more football after this year,” he said in May.
Revealing the reasons for his decision, he added: “I’ve been calling football for a long time. I’ll do the Rush Hour show and then I’ll come back and do grassroots stuff.
“I’m going to go support my children.”
It was a candid conversation with former Broncos coach Wayne Bennet that helped him make the decision.
“I talked to Wayne and he’s been very good to me,” he said.
‘He said, “Del, when you were in your prime, what did you do?” I said just being around people, doing corporate things with you.
‘I’m going to get back to doing corporate things, playing golf and supporting Tristan and my daughter.
“Next year I’ll be 50 and my son and daughter need me, so next year I’ll have a break from calling football.”
Later that same July, he would leave his role as a commentator on Triple M with immediate effect.
“My main goal now is to spend more time with my children and pursue grassroots interests,” Sailor said in a statement Friday.
In May, Sailor announced she was leaving her role at Triple M and admitted she wanted to spend more time with her family.
Sailor (pictured with his wife Tara)
‘I am deeply grateful for Southern Cross Austereo’s understanding and support of my decision. My priority is balancing my career with family life, especially as I celebrate my 50th birthday this week.
‘Triple M has been an integral part of my professional journey. I have made lifelong friendships and cherish every moment commentating NRL games and presenting The Rush Hour.
“I am grateful for the encouragement I have received and am looking forward to my next chapter, to focus on family as well as interests such as golf and corporate opportunities.”
Afterwards, Triple M wished him the best for the future.
“Wendell has forged a wonderful media career since joining Triple M in 2015,” the station said.
“We will always consider Wendell a member of the Triple M family.”
It’s unknown if Sailor has found a new job since then, but suddenly finding herself adrift from a workplace she’d been a part of for a decade, while her family faced a major crisis, would be disheartening for anyone.
