Darius Boyd calls time on Brisbane Broncos future
Two months after being stripped of the Broncos captaincy, Darius Boyd has decided to hang up the boots at season’s end.
NRL
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Broncos champion Darius Boyd is retiring from the NRL at the end of this season.
Boyd has decided to hang up the boots at season’s end – ending a year of speculation over his future in the code.
The 32-year-old was contracted until the end of 2021 but will walk away at the end of this season to take up work as a mental-health ambassador for the Broncos.
Boyd, who was recently replaced as captain by Alex Glenn, privately made the decision to retire a fortnight ago but it will not impact on his selection prospects, with the former Origin and Test star to start at left centre in the season opener against the Cowboys next Friday night.
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The impending departure of Boyd will draw the curtain on a magnificent rugby league career. He has played 317 NRL games, 28 Origin matches for Queensland, 23 Tests for Australia and won two premierships, including the Clive Churchill Medal with the Dragons in 2010.
“I do remember the time I decided that my NRL career would end,” Boyd said as he read from a statement this morning.
“I was at a dinner last month when a friend asked me if this would be my last season. It had been in the back of my mind but that one question made it feel urgent. I knew right then that this would be it.
“There are more reasons why it should be my last season rather than why it should so now it it time to tell you that news. This 2020 season will be my last in rugby league. I have another season to give. My body feels great and I’m excited about the season. I’m also excited about the next chapter of my life and I will go into the next chapter so grateful for everything that has happened in my last 15 seasons in the NRL.
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“Rugby league cops a lot of criticism but only a game like rugby league could have provided the journey I have had on and off the field. Rugby league helped me out in my dark times. The game provided me the support I needed as I support to improve my mental health. And the game has provided that platform for me to tell that story to others. I will always be grateful for that.
“I will miss competing. I will miss the victories. I will miss the sharing the journey with my teammates but most of all I will miss the good wishes of the fans who make rugby league possible. Yes I have copped criticism over the years, but I have received far more good wishes than bad and the support of fans has meant a lot to me. It is humbling to think of the person who saves every cent to buy a ticket to watch their team. They are the foundation of this game.
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“I will join the fans after this 2020 season as I stay involved in this great game. I owe rugby league a lot, it has been very good to me and I will be forever grateful for that.”
Boyd said he was determined to have a strong season in 2020 after his disappointing campaign last year.
“I know last year was tough but I just want to play to my ability and contribute to the team this season,” he said.
“I like to pride myself on being a player that everyone wants to play with. I want to be that guys that other players think I’m glad he is in the team each week.
“This gives me the opportunity to finish the season with a bit of a plan of where I’m headed and what I want to do. It’s all set in stone now. There is no guessing games for the next 12 months. Having a plan in life is important and I know where I stand now.”
Originally published as Darius Boyd calls time on Brisbane Broncos future
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