Broncos chairman ‘embarrassed and disgusted’ by gender reveal

The Brisbane Broncos chairman has blasted Darius Boyd after the veteran player farewelled the game in unexpected fashion.

Farewell to a champion.

Darius Boyd’s NRL career may have ended with a wooden spoon but he will leave the game with an enviable record — and a stunning clip from Broncos chairman Karl Morris.

Twenty-eight State of Origins for Queensland, 23 Tests for Australia, 337 first grade games and two NRL premierships with two clubs, Boyd has achieved everything in rugby league.

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But ending after a horrible season where his Broncos finished last for the first time in the club’s history following a 32-16 loss to the North Queensland Cowboys on Thursday night, it goes to show not all stars can sign off with a fairytale finish.

Boyd did score a try though, the 87th of his NRL career, and was chaired off the field.

And starting his new life in style, he also did a gender reveal in the middle of Suncorp Stadium, kicking a ball that revealed he and his wife Kayla are set to have a baby girl.

“It’s all happening at Suncorp,” tweeted the Courier Mail’s Pete Badel. “Retiring Darius Boyd has done a gender reveal by kicking a footy into the crowd. His pregnant wife is having a girl. I’ve seen it all.”

However, Morris was less than impressed, slamming Boyd and his teammates for the stunt on Friday.

“I was embarrassed and disgusted by the gender reveal and celebrations post-match,” Morris told Nine News.

According to Wide World of Sports, no senior staff were privy to the gender reveal before it took place.

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It was an emotional night for both teams with Cowboys veteran Gavin Cooper also retiring after the match.

Cooper played 323 games in the top grade with the Cowboys, Titans and Penrith as well as six Origins for Queensland.

But post-match it was all about Boyd, who mercifully admitted for the last time in 2020 that it had been a difficult season for the side.

“It‘s disappointing obviously but it’s been a tough year for a number of reasons,” he said.

“My last game isn‘t going to define the career I’ve had, I’ve been very grateful and honoured to play with some of the best players in the game and for some great clubs too. A lot of gratitude and I really owe a lot to rugby league.”

Channel 9 then shared a series of tributes for Boyd.

Former Newcastle Knights player Alex McKinnon, whose career was cut short when a spear tackle in 2014 left him a quadriplegic, was Boyd’s best mate when the two played together at the Knights and had some kind words to say about the retiring champion.

“Hey Darbs, massive congratulations from myself, Harriet and Teigan,” he said.

“You came into my life when I was only 17-years-old and you’ve taught me so much and I use that every day. Your football career will stack up against some of the greats and you should be really proud, mate.

“You’ve stood up and talked about mental health when not many other people would and you should be really proud of yourself. I know I am and I’m very lucky for you to be part of my life and I can’t wait to spend more time with you when you go into retirement.”

Darius Boyd is chaired off the field by his teammates.

Boyd has been a strong advocate about mental health and has often spoken about his battle with depression.

The next tribute came from Wayne Bennett, with Boyd playing most of his career under the coach at Broncos, Dragons and Knights.

Bennett is a father figure to Boyd and the fullback followed the master coach to whichever club he went in the early stages of his footy journey.

“There’s probably no one that has a stronger relationship between coach and player than I’ve had with you,” Bennett said.

“It‘s been an absolute joy, an absolute pleasure to be part of your life and to see all the wonderful achievements you’ve done in this game. I think it’s quite a remarkable record, it will stand the test of time and will stand amongst the best we’ve ever had in this game.

“As you know better than everyone else the battles that you’ve had to overcome, I think it’s one of the reasons we’ve been such good friends. I’ve admired what you’ve done there.

“I’ve always had your back. I certainly did understand the challenges that you faced and I loved the way you went about facing them. We’ve had a wonderful career together. I know whatever you want to do after football you’ll be successful at because that’s just who you are and your challenge is to find out what it is that you want to do.

“But well done on a great career, it doesn’t stop now, our friendship will go on forever and I look forward to when I can see you again.”

Darius Boyd and Wayne Bennett have a special relationship.

Boyd was near speechless after the tributes, needing a moment to compose himself.

“It‘s hard not to get upset after those,” he said.

“I said earlier this week that rugby league is a great game, it‘s given me a lot, but the most I take out of rugby league is the friendships and people I meet and the man that rugby league’s turned me into. So very grateful for those two people speaking, my wife, my kids up in the stands and grateful to this great game.”

Boyd said he hopes to stay in rugby league post-career as well as doing more work in the mental health space in community programs.

Some beautiful tributes flowing in for an emotional Darius Boyd after his final game. ☺️☺️

A well deserved break is on the horizon!

STREAM: https://t.co/VS81dYDB9e#9WWOS #NRL #NRLBroncosCowboys pic.twitter.com/DxQXaNC8gb

— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) September 24, 2020