Sonny Bill Williams shares terrifying ‘near-death experience’

Cross-code football great turned boxer Sonny Bill Williams has shown even the best of athletes need to be careful at the gym.

Sonny Bill Williams has shared what he called a “near-death experience” after he dropped a 120kg weight while working out.

The 37-year-old was working out in his home gym and squatting the weight when he went to re-rack the weight.

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But in a scene most gym-junkies fear, he missed the freestanding rack and sent the bar crashing to the ground.

He was lucky that the clips held on the other side and allowed him to get out of the way as there have been tragic outcomes for other people.

Sharing the video on social media, Williams posted: “Near death experience on 3! 1 … 2……”

Near death experience on 3! 1…2…… 🥹😅 pic.twitter.com/O8LTOfR12K

— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) May 23, 2023

Williams added later: “I’ve been saying Alhumdulliah all day the kids weren’t in the garage. If your doing squats at home and putting weight on I’d suggest buying a cage.”

“Alhamdulillah” means “praise to god” and is frequently used in the Muslim faith, of which Williams is a devout follower.

Fans and fellow athletes were pleased Williams wasn’t too hurt.

Eddie Williams, Australia’s Strongest Man in 2017 and 2018, wrote: “Sole I hate those free standing racks!!! Straight final destination material”.

All Blacks Ardie Savea and Julian Savea as well as Wallaby Quade Cooper also responded, all three of which using the “laugh crying” emoji.

Another fan wrote: “Alhamdulillah you’re OK. It does seem funny but can be such a dangerous outcome. Squats is the one thing I don’t do at home”.

SBW had a shock loss to Mark Hunt. Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images

Sonny Bill went close to disaster. Photo: Instagram

It’s no laughing matter however as last year a man in Queensland was rushed to hospital in critical condition after he was crushed by weights in a gym.

Another woman in Mexico was killed in front of her daughter when attempting to lift a 180kg barbell when the bar fell on her neck.

While Williams’ last fight was a loss to Mark Hunt, there remains talk of a blockbuster clash against Paul Gallen, despite the NRL legend retiring from boxing.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported Gallen had held informal conversations with Stan executives and the pair had agreed to fight with money the only remaining sticking point.

SBW can’t accept that he lost. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images

Williams has long claimed he’d be the A-side of the fight and has demanded a lion’s share of the purse, a call Gallen, who’s only losses have been to Australian champions Justis Huni and Kris Terzievski.

“He says he’s the drawcard and it’s a payday for everyone else,” Gallen told WWOS earlier this year.

“There’s no way I’m fighting him unless I get the lion’s share. I’m the one coming out of retirement, I’m the one who’s had bigger fights.

“I don’t know what to make of it all. As a person who feels he’s so holy and nice I’m just amazed by his comments.

“I’ve never passed judgment on him as a person. The worst thing I’ve said about him is he’s scared of fighting me.”

Williams on the other hand has called Gallen a “narcissistic type of man” who he “can’t really stand”.