Bronco great Wendell Sailor has announced he will step down from his Triple M NRL broadcasting role, explaining he wants to spend more time with his children.
The former dual international NRL and Wallabies star has enjoyed his time as a footballer for Triple M, but turns 50 this year and now has other priorities in life.
“I won’t mention football after this year,” he said News Corp.
‘I’m on a break from commentating.
Wendell Sailor has announced he is stepping down from his commentary role at Triple M NRL
The football legend turns 50 this year and has decided to change a number of things in his life
“I’ve been calling the footy for a long time. I’ll do the Rush Hour show and then I’ll come back and do grassroots stuff.
“I’m going to support my children.”
The football legend explained that a personal conversation with his former coach Wayne Bennett helped him make his decision.
“I’ve talked to Wayne and he’s been really good to me,” he said.
“He said, ‘Del, what did you do when you were at your best?’ I said I was just hanging out with people and doing the business stuff with you.
‘I’m going to do business things again, play golf and support Tristan and my daughter.
“I’ll be 50 next year and my son and daughter need me, so next year I’ll have a break from calling footy.”
Sailor says he wants to spend more time with his children, including current Brisbane Broncos star Tristan Sailor (pictured)
Last month, Sailor revealed the torment behind his son Tristan’s rape trial, before criticizing the St George Illawarra Dragons for what he called their “disgusting” treatment of the fullback.
In 2020, the NRL Young Gun was charged by NSW Police after a woman claimed she was so drunk she woke up naked with no memory of what happened after a night out in Sydney.
The footy star was accused of having sex with the woman while she was unconscious or too drunk to consent.
The alleged incident happened just two weeks after Sailor was released by the Dragons, and his father – who also played for the club in the twilight of his career – felt they had unfairly led his son out the door.
Sailor (pictured with Tristan outside court in 2020) lashed out at his son’s treatment by his former club, the Dragons, during his legal drama
“Only his immediate family understands what he went through a few years ago,” Sailor said.
‘I have shed tears from time to time about the journey he has been on.
“I said, ‘Mate, don’t give up yet.’ He was disillusioned here in Australia, but I knew he had unfinished business with the NRL.
Two years later, Sailor was acquitted of all charges, and his famous father is impressed with how quickly he has moved on with his life.
He signed for Broncos feeder club South Logan, and after excelling in the Queensland Cup, Kevin Walters offered him a train and trial contract.
Now he is reportedly in the crosshairs of other NRL clubs after some brilliant footy with the Broncos.