Ricky Nixon says he loves Ben Cousins but has ‘disowned him’ until he gets clean
Ben Cousins’ manager Ricky Nixon found lucrative tell-all interview offers for his client that would have safeguarded his children’s future. But despite caring deeply for him, Nixon has given up.
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Ben Cousins’ manager Ricky Nixon has revealed the fallen star knocked back rival tell-all interviews because the money would have been passed to his children instead of feeding his drug habit.
Nixon revealed to the Herald Sun he had finally “disowned” his long-time client because he continues to put his drug addiction ahead of his responsibilities to his children.
Cousins will be paid for Channel Seven’s documentary this weekend where he details his downfall but cannot state he is free of his addiction to drugs.
Pioneering manager Nixon had his own cocaine addiction but after an intervention from AFL Brownlow Medallist Peter Moore was able to get his life back on track.
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He said yesterday he was disappointed Cousins had never shown enough care for his children Bobby and Angelique to try to get clean.
“I love Ben. Now he is coming out and he is doing a big interview and I don't agree with that, I had a deal for him that would have supported his kids at the moment,” he said.
“But Ben - and I am trying to say this nicely - I love him but he is at the crossroads. He has got to make a decision on what is the most important (thing), his kids or the other (drugs).
And the moment, the other is more important.
“I guess three weeks ago I made a decision. And it happened to me. People disown you.
“True friends are going to tell you the truth so I have told him in no uncertain terms - “You decide. Is it going to be that or your kids... and mate I am going. See you later, I am not speaking to you ever again until I see your kids smiling”.
“Now the ball is in his court.”
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Nixon controlled Cousins’ marketing in an era when he was one of footy’s brightest stars while his father Brian managed his playing contract.
He even found him a new home at Richmond after Cousins was deregistered and then reinstated by the league, with that two-year stint one of his last clean periods.
“I know people would be hearing this and saying 'no, he is full of s---", (but) I didn't know he was on drugs. He was in my office and went to the toilet five times and I was like 'What's wrong' and he goes 'I've got a gut-ache'. Now I look back and go 'No, you didn't have a gut- ache'.”
Originally published as Ricky Nixon says he loves Ben Cousins but has ‘disowned him’ until he gets clean