I would like to think that I have a decent set of morals and principles and from what I have read about this incident, if it's true that these blokes racially taunted and so forth Benji, than as far as I'm concerned the bloke probably got what he deserved (the tap on the chin). For the record I don't think the pedestal that kids and parents place upon these blokes is warranted. They are not role models, they are heroes. Role models are doctors, nurses, volunteers, people of that ilk, not someone who can bench press twice their body weight and run the hundred in under 11 secs. Anyone who spruiks off that these blokes should 'think of the children' and place any responsibility on players for the upbringing and influence of their own children need to rethink their parenting skills and attitude as far as I'm concerned.
If this bloke/blokes got in the face of Marshall and racially taunted him, and Benji has chirped back, who's to say this bloke didn't throw the first punch and missed and Benji has defended himself?? Hopefully they release the CCTV footage if there is any, as it would be very interesting to see the events leading up to Benji throwing one. For him to react like that, obviously something extreme has been said.
A few years ago I was in the situation of those blokes taunting Marshall. The Broncos were in Tvl for a Friday night game and were warming up before the game on the Brothers field next door to DFS. After an early knock off and a thousand rums, as I walked out of the leagues club and passed the field where the Broncos were going through their paces, I noticed Peter Wallace was placing a kick on the sideline, I went up to the fence and absolultey have given it to him. As I said in the first paragraph, I reckon I have a decent set of morals and I'd reckon most people who know me would say that I'm generally a decent bloke, but I will put my hand up and say I acted like a complete f**kwit this night. From memory, I sprouted out some bullsh*t about him having a single mother from Penrith (in a pretty bad way) to get under his skin and try and 'put him off' for the kick and the upcoming game. As I said it, he turned around and started to approach me, I honestly think he was going to belt me and if it wasn't for Sam Thaiday who rushed over and held him back, I honestly reckon he was going to do it because what I said obviously hit a raw nerve (this is all about 30 mins before kick off mind you).
In my mind I was doing my bit for my team, trying to put off the oppositions playmaker and all before kick off, and with a bit of dutch courage under my belt didn't really think of the consequences for my unwarranted abuse. If I ever have the opportunity to apologise and buy him a beer later in life, without trying to sound like a clown, I honestly say that I would do it. I totally deserved a smack in the mouth for what I said that night and I am the first to admit that. Maybe it's time for the other sh*t stirrers out there in society to admit the same..........
