Darius Boyd turns Broncos vegan in bid for premiership glory
Inspired by a Netflix documentary called The Game Changers, Brisbane skipper Darius Boyd has encouraged teammates to turn vegan to gain an edge over NRL rivals in the upcoming season.
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Origin winger Corey Oates has revealed the Broncos have joined some of world sport’s biggest stars by exploring a vegan diet in a bid to break the longest premiership drought in Brisbane’s history.
Oates says skipper Darius Boyd was so impressed by a Netflix documentary called The Game Changers the Brisbane skipper has spruiked the potential benefits of a meat-free diet for the entire Broncos squad.
The documentary has gained a cult following worldwide with the film putting veganism under the microscope and the benefits of a plant-based diet for athletes across all sports globally.
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Some of world sport’s biggest names have turned to a vegan diet including Formula One king Lewis Hamilton, tennis aces Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams and Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli.
Now the Broncos - and Boyd in particular - are embracing the power of the plant.
It is understood Boyd has dabbled in a plant-based diet over the off-season as the Brisbane captain leaves no stone unturned to help the Broncos clinch their first premiership since 2006.
The Broncos skipper was sufficiently inspired to mention the hit film to coach Anthony Seibold, who watched the documentary during his flight to America last week for a study trip.
“Darbs watched the video and he suggested it (a vegan lifestyle),” Oates said.
“He is massive on his documentaries and it started getting around the club.
“I heard Darius is trying it (a vegan diet) and it might suit someone like Darius. I don’t know how much he eats but he’s pretty lean compared to our bigger forwards.”
Intrigued by Boyd’s critique, several Broncos players have since watched The Game Changers. The documentary interviews a number of American sporting stars and Olympic athletes, including Australian 800-metre runner Morgan Mitchell, who is a strict vegan.
American Olympic sprint legend Carl Lewis also features in the documentary and says he achieved his personal-best performances on the track after shunning meat.
Closer to home, Australian Test cricket bowler Peter Siddle turned vegan in 2013.
A number of Broncos players are experimenting with a plant-based diet but how long they can sustain it remains to be seen.
Oates is one Bronco who is determined to continue consuming beef and chicken, despite the documentary claiming veganism is a superior way of living for athletes.
“No chance for me (of being vegan),” Oates said.
“I can do it one day a week but I can’t live like that every day.
“I can’t see forwards like Patty Carrigan or Tevita doing it long term. Tevita loves meat too much, he’s no chance.
“The players that do it sometimes, you see them lose a lot of weight.
“I don’t know how long it will last, especially when we are getting flogged in the Brisbane heat.
“I’m not massive on nutrition but I would find it hard (to sustain).
“When you are drained, the first thing I want to do is have a big meal with lots of protein.
“I don’t know how I would go just eating tofu.”
Former St Louis Rams team physician James Loomis told The Game Changers documentary that athletes can easily succeed without meat.
“What I found in the locker room was some pretty outdated ideas about nutrition,” he said.
“One of the biggest misconceptions in sports nutrition is that we have to have animal protein and in particular meat to get big and strong and perform at a high level.
“That’s clearly not true.”
SPORT STARS WHO TURNED VEGAN
Peter Siddle
Cut out all animal products in November 2012 and hasn’t had an alcoholic drink since May 2012. Siddle was the only Australian to play in every game of the 2013 Ashes tour to England, lending critics to laud the extra energy gained from a vegan diet.
Nate Diaz
UFC fighter Nate Diaz was inspired by older brother Nick to take up veganism and says that the diet has a lot to do with his success. Now 34, Diaz is famous for his rivalry with Connor McGregor and remains one of MMA’s most marketable fighters.
Lewis Hamilton
At 34, Lewis Hamilton remains one of the most public vegan athletes. The six-time world champion driver adopted a vegan diet back in 2017 and definitely hasn’t slowed down.
Venus & Serena Williams
In 2011, the elder Williams sister was diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome. Upon doctors recommendations, Venus adopted a raw vegan diet which Serana then took on in solidarity.
Morgan Mitchell
An Aussie Olympian in 2016 at the age of 21, Mitchell made her name as a 400m runner but has transitioned into 800m. Morgan gave up animal products in favour of a plant-based diet back in 2014.
Originally published as Darius Boyd turns Broncos vegan in bid for premiership glory