NRL star Fa’amanu Brown reveals why caring for mum as she died of cancer is his biggest achievement

Bulldogs backrower Fa’amanu Brown has heartbreakingly revealed that his greatest achievement in life is caring for his dying mother during her final moments.

Brown, who moved from Christchurch to Sydney aged 17 to pursue a contract with the NRL, struggled with injuries and mental health issues during a roller-coaster career that nearly broke him in more ways than one.

The 28-year-old spent seasons on the sidelines with a foot injury that left his chances of running again uncertain and his playing career in free fall.

A product of a harsh upbringing, Brown struggled when he moved to Australia, dealing with depression, loss of identity, gambling problems and even nearly attempted suicide.

While playing with Cronulla at age 19, Brown says he felt isolated and disconnected from everyone.

Brown, who moved from Christchurch to Sydney to play in the NRL, struggled with injuries and mental health issues that nearly destroyed him in more ways than one.

“I went to sign papers with Cronulla Leagues Club… and I was like, ‘Man, I’m done. I want to go home or I’ll kill myself,” he said ABC news.

And one night when the pressure became unbearable, Brown swam as far as he could into the ocean.

“God, if you’re gonna get me, take me now, man, I’m done,” he remembered thinking at the time.

“But for some reason I was floating on my back, swimming backwards back to shore… I just remember crying,” he said.

Brown then spoke to his mother and she encouraged him to be strong.

The young footy star started making a lot of money with the Sharks, but without proper guidance, Brown soon developed a gambling problem.

“Eventually I went broke. I went through a gambling phase. There was a point where I had to ask [the club to be paid] in advance,” he admits.

It was his mother’s cancer diagnosis that finally made him recover and became the defining moment of his life.

Brown struggled when he moved to Australia to play footy, dealing with depression, loss of identity, gambling problems and even near suicide attempts

Brown (pictured with his partner) started earning a hefty wage with the Sharks, but without proper guidance, the youngster soon developed a gambling problem

“There was a time when mom would be placed in a retirement home where people would take care of them until they passed away, or we had an option where me and my brothers would take care of our mom,” he explained.

Brown thought a care home would be the best idea, but his brothers talked him into it.

“But my brothers know the Samoan way better than I do… My older brothers said, ‘Believe me, you’ll understand when you start taking care of her.’

“This is better than my NRL debut, making whatever kind of money… I don’t think getting married will top this.”

In a 2020 social media post, the footy star described how he felt while caring for his dying mother.

Brown says his mother’s cancer diagnosis brought him together and became the defining moment of his life

Brown thought about placing his mother in a care home for her final days, but was glad he spent time with her instead

“What I’ve learned through my relationship with my mother is that there’s no point in holding grudges against others,” he wrote.

Life is too short to darken your heart. Every time you say goodbye to your loved ones, it may be the last time you hear or see them. Now that she’s sick, I regret so many things.

“I could have had it, but I know it made me who I am today. Realize before it’s too late.

“Each day hug your loved ones. Tell them you love them. Say it sincerely. Capture memories. Present. Say sorry. Talk it out. Keep loving and forgiving, even when it hurts.”