‘Height of stupidity’: NRL great blasts Valentine Holmes over photo

NRL star Valentine Holmes has come under fire from an NRL great — and former teammate — over a since deleted social media post.

Valentine Holmes' post on his Instagram story.

Valentine Holmes has come under fire over a photo on social media that has since been deleted.

The Queensland State of Origin cult hero was seen in a picture appearing with a small bag of white powder in his mouth.

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With an investigation into the photo underway by the North Queensland Cowboys and the NRL Integrity Unit, the hits have kept coming in for Holmes.

None harder than that of NRL great Paul Gallen who hit out at Holmes’ “stupidity” in an exclusive column for Wide World of Sports.

Holmes and Gallen were teammates at the Sharks when Cronulla ended its premiership drought in 2016.

“When I was told Holmes had actually posted the photo himself to his own social media page I almost couldn’t believe it,” Gallen wrote.

“What a dumb thing to do. It’s basically the height of stupidity if that is what actually happened.”

Instagram image of Valentine Holmes with a substance in his mouth.

Gallen stated the contents of the bag remain unknown, but says he can’t believe another NRL player has been dragged into a scandal as a result of a social media post.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – social media is a trap and footy players fall into it far too often,” he wrote.

“Know when to put the phones down boys.”

According to The Daily Telegraph, Holmes will insist it was just a joke and that he did not use cocaine or any other illicit substance.

Holmes will deny using an illicit substance. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“Holmes has told those close to him that the image was a puerile prank gone wrong. He will reiterate that sentiment to Cowboys hierarchy and NRL integrity-unit chiefs on Monday, adamant he did not partake in any drug-taking activity,” the Courier Mail reported.

The Cowboys released a statement confirming they were aware of the photo and would assist the integrity unit with their investigation.

“The North Queensland Cowboys are aware of a photo posted to social media by a Cowboys player this morning,” the statement said.

“The club is conducting an investigation as well as assisting the NRL Integrity Unit.

“The Cowboys will make no further comment until the investigations are completed.”

The photo was first shared on Holmes’ own personal Instagram account and has since been taken down.

Originally published as ‘Height of stupidity’: NRL great blasts Valentine Holmes over photo