Emotional Kevin Walters breaks down in tears, walks out of press conference

Kevin Walters has wiped away tears during his final press conference with the Broncos where he made a sudden exit.

Kevin Walters has wiped away tears during an emotional final press conference with the Brisbane Broncos.

Walters was sensationally sacked by the club on Thursday night, leading to widespread anger from Walters’ former Broncos teammates.

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Despite widespread reports Walters was effectively sacked, Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy insisted during a press conference on Friday morning that he and Walters had reached a mutual decision for the club to look for a new head coach.

Walters will remain employed by the club as an “ambassador”.

The 56-year-old was given a one-year extension in March, which should have taken him up to the end of the 2026 season.

After going so close to winning the 2023 Grand Final, the shock of his premature exit was clear to see as he faced the press in Brisbane on Friday.

Walters twice needed to compose himself when speaking about his family. He was overcome by the emotion when saying the support of his family was “really nice”.

Walters battled the emotions throughout his final presser. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“I am really proud of the fact that when I arrived here … the club wasn’t in great shape,” he said.

“And I feel like myself, along with a lot of other good staff and people here have shaped the club. One of my proudest moments was last tear’s grand final with my son and all my family in attendance. It was really nice. And this year. A tough year obviously for everyone, including fans and sponsors and members.

“Stick with the club. It’s a great club. I’m sure that they’ll be back challenging again before too long.”

Walters again fought tears when mentioning his family.

“I also want to thank my family. They’ve been really terrific for me and I just want to thank them.

“And thankyou to everyone else who has been part of the journey for these last four years.

“There’s been many people that have helped me become the person that I am, so thank you.”

Walters walked off before answering any questions. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The shock news of Walters’ sacking sparked fierce backlash among Broncos greats, including legendary prop Shane Webcke.

The players were reportedly only told of Walters’ exit on Thursday evening and captain Adam Reynolds has said publicly he wasn’t consulted about the decision to axe his mentor.

The halfback said on Thursday night the players had been “blind-sided” by the news.

“We were as surprised as anyone when the news broke – we still haven’t heard anything official,” Reynolds told the SMH.

“Kevvie is one of the main reasons I came to the club. I’m naturally disappointed. I have a lot of respect for him. I don’t know what else to say until the club communicates with us.

“We’re all trying to find out what’s going on. He’s a great coach and I love his coaching style. It’s been a tough year. Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong.

Walters’ time came to an end. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt) NO ARCHIVING

“We lost four players from last year’s grand final, and me, Reece [Walsh] and Payne [Haas] have been out for long periods this year. Myself and Ezra [Mam] only played a handful of games together this year.

“I’ve tried reaching out to Kev. I feel for him.”

Webcke responded to Walters’ sacking on radio and was scathing of the fact the club didn’t speak to the captain first.

“If that is true, that is the most unprofessional thing I reckon I’ve ever heard that club come up with,” he said on SEN Queensland.

“I sincerely hope that that is not the case.”

Walters, at 99 games coached, is the third longest-serving coach in the club’s history, behind only Wayne Bennett (671 games) and Anthony Griffin (101 games).

He’s also only the second coach of the Broncos behind Bennett to take the club to the grand final.

Walters played 241 games for the Broncos, winning five of his six premierships in Brisbane.

The other premiership was for Canberra in 1989, the club where he started his career and played 50 games between 1987 and 1989.

Originally published as Emotional Kevin Walters breaks down in tears, walks out of press conference