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Sam Newman says Rex Hunt is seeking mental health help after football legend’s late-night medical drama on the road: ‘He’s not in a good place’
- Newman visited Hunt in hospital after a medical episode
- He said the soccer legend is seeking help for his mental health.
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Footy Show star Sam Newman has revealed that his friend Rex Hunt is “not in a good place” as the AFL legend seeks help for his “mental problems” after being rushed to hospital when he suffered a medical episode behind the wheel of your car.
The great Richmond called police for help after stopping on Princes Freeway while driving to Geelong at 2am on January 17 and was immediately taken for treatment.
Newman said he has visited Hunt in hospital and the star player turned TV and radio presenter is receiving help and support from his teammates.
“Rex was a good footballer, he played in two premierships, and he’s been a great radio host and a world-class fisherman…and despite all that, Rex, he’s having some mental problems,” Newman said in the program. Wednesday’s You Cannot Be Serious podcast.
Hunt (in a photo taken while in the hospital in 2022) was rushed to the hospital after calling police from his car on January 17.
Newman said that while his partner is receiving support at the hospital, he too has to “help himself before everyone else tries to help him.”
“We’re trying to support him in saying, ‘Rex, you’ve got to help yourself before everybody else tries to help you.’
“He’s not in a good place, but he should, if he has any experience in life about what made him a good footballer or what made him good on the radio or what made him a world-class fisherman, if he used those principles to try to guide you, you could take a turn for the better.
Former Brighton mayor and Hunt’s longtime friend John Locco said the soccer icon is on the mend and has the support of friends and family.
“There are a lot of people who hold Rex in high regard and we are concerned and support him,” Locco said.
Hunt (pictured with Dustin Martin after Richmond’s 2017 grand final victory) caused concern about his state of mind with worrying posts on social media last year.
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Hunt, a former AFL player, won a premiership with Richmond and also played for St Kilda and Geelong.
He went on to become the preeminent football broadcaster of the 1990s thanks to his exciting and energetic commentary style and also hosted a long-running TV fishing show.
In July of last year, Hunt’s friends and fans feared for his health after he got into a public argument with a motorist and posted increasingly bizarre rants on social media.