League star Dane Gagai spokesman for program promoting mental health support

NRL star Dane Gagai, who was homeless after being dropped from his former team, will join a program promoting mental health support.

Dane Gagai in action for Queensland during this week’s State of Origin match. Picture: Peter Wallis

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NRL star Dane Gagai has revealed he became homeless and was forced to couch-surf after being dropped from his former team, the Brisbane Broncos, four years ago.

At his lowest point the current Newcastle Knights fullback and Maroons winger even had to sleep in his car.

The 25-year-old will today be named an ambassador for headspace’s Yarn Safe campaign, which aims to get Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to seek mental health support.

Dane Gagai couch-surfed and spent a night in his car during his homeless period. Picture: Peter Wallis

“I was staying with the team manager and his three kids,” Gagai said.

“When they told me my contract was over they said I needed to go to the house and pick my bags up and move out that day. I went to the manager’s house and grabbed my bags and I was house hopping for about a month.”

Aged 22, he said he couch-surfed for a month and had to sleep in his car one night.

“At the time I was angry and all that was going through my head was I needed to play the best footy I could so someone picked me up,” he said.

Then Gagai received a call from coach Wayne Bennett which changed everything and he was signed with the Knights.

Last month he broke down following the team’s devastating loss to the Cronulla Sharks after losing his grandmother.

“People forget we have lives outside of football — we have personal issues,” he said.

“I want to encourage anyone with issues not to be afraid to talk to somebody.”

Originally published as League star Dane Gagai spokesman for program promoting mental health support