‘I’m sorry’: Broncos star Ezra Mam fined $850 after pleading guilty to drug driving

Broncos star Ezra Mam has apologised and promised to become a better person after pleading guilty to drug driving and driving without a licence.

The 21-year-old was fined $850 and had his licence suspended for at least six months at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday morning.

Broncos star Ezra Mam arrives at Brisbane Magistrates Court.Credit: William Davis

“At so many levels you’re fortunate to be able to stand where you are today given you were involved in a two vehicle accident,” the sentencing magistrate – who appeared not to know who Mam was, asking how his name was spelled – said.

“You could have been injured or killed or the other [people] could have been injured or killed.

“You’ve got to learn from this.”

The charges came after the rugby league player collided with an Uber in Bardon, in Brisbane’s west, while driving his ute on October 18.

Broncos NRL player Ezra Mam arrives at the Brisbane Magistrates Courts on Monday.Credit: AAPIMAGE

Three people – the Uber driver, a female passenger and her four-year-old daughter – were taken to hospital.

Mam sat still through Monday morning’s proceedings quietly in the packed courtroom, not speaking except to make his guilty plea.

His mother was among about 50 people in attendance.

The Broncos star gave a brief statement to journalists outside before leaving in a white SUV driven by club staff.

“Today is an important step in owning my actions and starting to make things right. To all the people involved in this accident, I’m truly sorry,” he said.

“This incident isn’t a reflection of who I want to be, or what’s expected of me as a role model. To the NRL, the Brisbane Broncos, the fans and my family, I’m sorry.

“I promise to work on being a better person and representative of the club and the game that I love.”

Mam signed a five-year deal with the Broncos worth about $4 million in February. His contract ties him to the Broncos until the end of 2029.

Earlier on Monday, Broncos coach Michael Maguire told Nine, owner of this masthead, that Mam had “learnt a lot from this moment”.

“I’ve obviously had a number of conversations with him,” Maguire said.

“And Ezra is working through the process of going through what he has to and I think he’s learnt a lot from this moment in time.

“He’s working hard to make sure that he moves forward on the right path.

“He’s gone away and looked at himself ... to realise what he needs to do moving forward.

“It’s really up to him, but each day is a new day to make sure that he makes amends and keeps moving forward.”

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