Chris Judd has revealed how his mother Lisa Engel’s brutal verdict prompted him to shave his head.
The 40-year-old AFL star is now best known for his trademark bald look, having shaved off his hair almost 20 years ago.
However, he has now revealed that he didn’t want to make the major hair change and wanted to keep his old locks, until his mother Lisa intervened.
Chris told The Front Bar that Lisa sat him down and told him to shave his head after she saw photos of his “thin” hair during the 2006 AFL Grand Final.
“I think my mom called me in about a week after the final and there was a picture of me in the paper and she said, ‘I think it’s time to shave it,’” he said of her harsh judgment.
‘It looked a bit rickety from the front, but I think I could still get another year or two out of it, to be honest.’
When asked by host Sam Pang why he didn’t “stay strong” and ignore his mother’s advice, Chris admitted that maybe she was right in her harsh judgment.
“It’s an uncomfortable conversation to have. If someone who cares about you has taken the time to say it, chances are they’re right,” he shared.
Chris Judd has revealed how his mother Lisa Engel’s brutal sentencing prompted him to shave his head during a speech at The Front Bar
The AFL star (pictured in 2006), 40, is now known for his bald look, but he was reluctant to make the change and wanted to keep his locks, before his mother Lisa intervened.
Chris, who is married to Queen WAG Rebecca Judd, then joked that he still hasn’t ‘ruled out’ a hair transplant in Turkey.
Chris has shown his support in recent weeks for struggling footballer Ben Cousins, who is now making a career comeback.
Ben, 46, has made it to the semi-finals of Dancing With The Stars and Chris recently raved about the AFL star’s performance in the competition.
“Ben, I just wanted to let you know what an amazing job you’re doing on Dancing with the Stars,” he said Pete and Kymba from Mix94.5 earlier this month.
‘I saw a bit of dancing in your football days and there was some work to be done then – and to be honest there’s probably some work to be done now!
“But seriously, I think it’s great that you’re having so much fun and trying something new. Good luck, I hope it goes well!”
Responding to Chris’ comments, Ben enthused: ‘He’s absolutely class, we love Chris Judd. What a star! He’s definitely seen me dancing when, on one occasion, it all got the better of me!’
Chris told how Lisa sat him down and told him to shave his head after seeing pictures of his ‘thin’ hair during the 2006 AFL Grand Final (pictured)
Ben reached the semi-finals of Dancing With The Stars, but was eliminated there, narrowly missing out on a place in the grand final.
The athlete has been rebuilding his life in recent years after a fall and has agreed to take part in the reality dance competition as a way to focus on a new challenge.
“I’m just in a pretty good place at the moment and able to take on some new challenges. And now, having done this, I’m probably able to give it a go for the first time in a long time,” he previously told The Herald Sun.
“This worked for where I was mentally and where I wanted to fully throw myself.”
“I certainly haven’t forgotten how much hard work and dedication it took to get back to where I am today,” he added.
“It’s a long-term thing. You don’t just do something and then it changes overnight.”
Elsewhere in recent weeks, Chris has shown his support for embattled footballer Ben Cousins as he makes his career comeback, praising him for his role on Dancing With The Stars (pictured)
Ben won the Brownlow Medal in 2005 and captained the West Coast Eagles from 2001 to 2005, winning the club’s best and fairest award four times during those seasons.
He played 238 games and scored 205 goals for the West Coast Eagles, winning the 2006 championship with the club.
His fall from grace has been well documented since 2007, when he publicly battled drug addiction and tried to come to terms with his failed relationship with Maylea Tinecheff.
He was later sacked, given a one-year ban from the AFL for repeated offences and jailed six times, spanning 13 years.