Bulldogs backrower Fa’amanu Brown has heartbreakingly revealed that caring for his dying mother during her final moments is his greatest achievement in life.
Brown, who moved from Christchurch to Sydney aged just 17 to land an NRL contract, has struggled with injuries and mental health issues throughout a rollercoaster career that nearly broke him at most. of a title.
The 28-year-old spent seasons on the sidelines struggling with a foot injury that left his chances of running again uncertain and his playing career in a tailspin.
Coming from a difficult upbringing, Brown struggled when he moved to Australia and faced depression, loss of identity, gambling problems and even attempted suicide.
While performing with Cronulla at age 19, Brown says he felt isolated and disconnected from everyone.
Bulldogs rower Fa’amanu Brown pictured with his deceased mother in 2020
Brown, who moved from Christchurch to Sydney to play in the NRL, has struggled with injuries and mental health issues that nearly broke him in more ways than one.
“I went to sign some papers at Cronulla Leagues Club…and I was like, ‘Man, I’m done. I want to go home or else I’m going to kill myself,’ he said. ABC News.
And one night, when the pressure became unbearable, Brown swam in the ocean as far as he could.
“God, if you’re gonna take me, take me now because, man, I’m done,” he recalled thinking at the time.
“But, for some reason, I was floating on my back, swimming backwards towards shore…I just remember crying,” he said.
Brown then spoke to his mother and she encouraged him to be strong.
The young footy star started making big money with the Sharks, but without proper guidance, Brown soon developed a gambling problem.
“I ended up going broke. I went through a game phase. There was a time when I had to ask [the club to be paid] ahead,” he admits.
It was his mother’s cancer diagnosis that finally pulled him together and became the defining moment in his life.
Brown struggled when he moved to Australia to play football and faced depression, loss of identity, gambling problems and even attempted suicide.
Brown (pictured with his partner) started earning a big salary with the Sharks, but without proper guidance the youngster quickly developed a gambling problem.
“There was a time when mum was going to be placed in a nursing home, where people cared for them until they passed, or we had an option where me and my brothers cared for our mum,” said he explained.
Brown thought a retirement home would be the best idea, but his brothers talked him out of it.
“But my brothers know Samoan better than I do… My older brothers said, ‘Trust me, you’ll understand once you start looking after her.’
“It beats my early days in the NRL, making money…I don’t think getting married will be any higher than that.”
In a 2020 social media post, the soccer star detailed how he felt caring for his dying mother.
Brown says his mother’s cancer diagnosis brought him closer and became the defining moment of his life
Brown considered putting her mother in a care facility for her final days, but was glad he spent time with her instead
“What I’ve learned from my relationship with mom is that there’s no point in holding grudges against others,” he wrote.
“Life is too short to darken your heart. Every time you say goodbye to your loved ones, it might be the last time you hear or see them. Now that she’s sick, I regret so many things.
“I should have, I could have, but I know it made me who I am today. Realize yourself before it’s too late.
“Every day hug your loved ones. Tell them you love them. Say it sincerely. Record memories. To be present. Say sorry. Talk it over. Keep loving and forgiving even when it hurts.
