- Michael Jennings will not be part of the parade of retired players
- Footy star has chosen to quietly step away from the sport
- Jennings returned from a three-year drug ban this year
Controversial rugby league player Michael Jennings will not be part of the NRL’s retirement parade at Accor Stadium on Sunday – but it’s not because he was accused of raping his ex-wife.
NRL veterans including Tyrone Peachy, Aaron Woods and Shaun Johnson will get the chance to say goodbye to fans on grand final day, but according to the Sydney Morning Herald Jennings chose not to be admitted.
The Roosters have confirmed that Jennings, who played 307 NRL games, has quietly stepped away from the game after being released by the club this week.
In April, the NRL canceled plans to celebrate Jennings’ 300th first-grade match after his ex-wife said the league “doesn’t take women’s safety seriously”.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo made the decision not to honor the Roosters centre’s milestone after consultation with ARL boss Peter V’landys, Roosters boss Nick Politis and coach Trent Robinson.
“Due to past conduct, Michael Jennings will not receive official NRL recognition in his 300th match,” Abdo said at the time.
Jennings returned to the game this season after serving a three-year suspension for steroid use.
After testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug while at Parramatta in 2020, Jennings maintained his innocence but ultimately accepted the charges in a bid to have his ban reduced from four to three years.
Michael Jennings (pictured) will not be part of the NRL’s retirement parade on Sunday after choosing to quietly bow out
Jennings’ ex-wife Kirra Wilden (pictured together) claimed he sexually assaulted her during their relationship
While suspended, Jennings was ordered to pay nearly $500,000 in damages to his ex-wife Kirra Wilden following claims of sexual and verbal abuse in a civil suit.
The allegations include that Jennings raped her four times between October 2014 and early 2016, the star claims.
Jennings was never charged on these allegations.
His return to the NRL was approved by the Integrity Unit, with his contract registered on the grounds that he met several conditions relating to the case.
“I think it’s a shame that they allowed this to happen,” Wilden told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Jennings returned to the NRL this season after serving a three-year ban for steroid use
“It’s disturbing because I don’t think the NRL takes women’s safety seriously.
“People wonder why people don’t speak out about incidents like this, because I feel like nothing is being done about it in time.”
According to the report, Wilden’s lawyers claim their client has yet to receive any money from the footy star.
“NRL represents our Australian spirit and our international identity,” said Moya de Luca-Leonard, the lawyer in the personal injury case.
“Our football players set standards and must follow the law.”