Inspirational Cuz over the moon
By Jennifer Witham
Tue 16 December, 2008
BEN Cousins’ manager Ricky Nixon says the decision by Richmond to draft the wayward star has proven to be an inspiration for people fighting drug addiction.
“I’ve had a hell of a lot of people who have been in a people who have been in a similar situation with children,” Nixon said.
“Two people just stopped me at lunch then to say ‘it has been a fantastic result, we’ve been in the same position and it has been very difficult to get our son and daughter up and motivated again,’. This is inspirational to them that Ben has got back and we all hope he can keep going.”
Nixon, who has been Cousins’ spokesman as he searched for new club, said his client was in a sound state of mind and was looking forward to tackling the new phase of his career.
“He’s very excited. After yesterday afternoon it looked pretty doubtful. He’s over the moon and he’s had the best three weeks in the last year or two. He’s really on the upward spiral,” he said.
“The St Kilda decision (not to draft Cousins) was very disappointing and the big change with the way he’s been going was the way he rebounded after that. He was fantastic and I think that helped Richmond’s decision.
"He was very positive and presented himself well last week with the Richmond coach and president. I must say Richmond have been fantastic in all of this. It shows a good club on the way up.”
Nixon said Cousins had been unfairly maligned since announcing his drug addiction and since leaving West Coast at the end of 2007.
“What people don’t understand when they write opinion pieces … is the pyramid effect. At the top of the pyramid is Ben, but underneath is the family and friends and everyone associated with him that it affects when there is a negative comment,” Nixon said.
“At the end of the day there are a lot of high-profile celebrities who have been drug addicts. Everyone’s quite happy for them to play in rock'n'roll bands and be movie stars but for some reason we want to shoot sportsmen down.”
Confirmation of Cousins' selection was also praised by the AFL Players' Association, which has been a vocal supporter of his comeback.
"We are greatly encouraged by this news and offer our congratulations and support to Ben and his family," chief executive Brendon Gale said in a statement.
"Ben has demonstrated great personal responsibility over the past 12 months in his efforts towards rehabilitation
"There will no doubt be a number of challenges ahead, but we are of the view that these challenges are not insurmountable and with support, Ben can return to doing what he does best – playing AFL football at the elite level."
http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=70885
