I love the club and my family: tearful Pearce steps down

Mitchell Pearce has broken his silence on the texting scandal which resulted in his wedding being called off and his decision to quit as Newcastle skipper.

Mitchell Pearce, centre, warms up during a Knights training session on Thursday Picture: AAP

Mitchell Pearce has broken his silence on the texting scandal which resulted in his wedding being called off and his decision to quit as Newcastle skipper.

Pearce spoke for the first time on Thursday after standing down as Knights captain earlier in the week.

His wedding to Kristin Scott was cancelled just before Christmas following revelations Pearce had exchanged flirty texts with a female Knights employee.

“For me, it’s been a traumatic few weeks for my personal life and for those I love,” Pearce said.

“Unfortunately, my actions have impacted the team and more importantly the people I have closest to me — Kristin and my family.

“I’m taking steps now to address these issues and I feel it would be in the best interest of the club to step down as captain for this season.

“I love this club and I love my family and I’m committed to working as hard as I can to be the best man I can be, both on and off the field.

“I’d appreciate some respect moving forward and a bit of time to get back to training.”

Pearce did not field questions from the assembled media.

Knights coach Adam O’Brien confirmed the club’s leadership had been under review but said he’d had no discussions with Pearce regarding the captaincy before the veteran halfback’s resignation.

“Mitchell addressed both Phil (Gardner, Knights CEO) and myself of that decision on Tuesday morning. We hadn’t had any conversations with him prior to that,” O’Brien said.

“Mitch came to it himself and I support him in it.

“We’ve had some productive conversations earlier this week but I’m confident this won’t have an impact on our season.

“It won’t be used as motivation and it won’t be used as an excuse, we’ll get on with it as professionals.”

O’Brien said he would not allow the scandal to impact Newcastle or Pearce’s preparation for the 2021 season.

“He’s got some matters he wants to address, first and foremost with his close family and his partner,” O’Brien said.

“He needs to address that and he’s working hard each and every day at doing that. I don’t see it impacting his football.

“I think once he gets out on the field, as I said before, Mitchell Pearce competes every week for us.”