Bronco Walsh says sorry as TikTok punchline falls flat
Jasper Bruce |
Reece Walsh has apologised to Brisbane for what the Broncos called a “lack of judgment” in being filmed punching a friend in the head for a TikTok video.
The injured fullback met with Broncos management on Wednesday to explain himself over the viral clip he posted but has since deleted.
As part of his apology, 22-year-old Walsh has offered to make a donation to mental health charity the Black Dog Institute.
“The club has addressed the video involving Reece Walsh, which was posted on social media,” the Broncos said in a statement on Wednesday evening.
“Walsh today met with the club management about the matter and apologised for his lack of judgment.”
Walsh explained on television program Today that the video, in which he boxed his friend so hard he fell from a couch, had been intended as a joke.
“We don’t support violence and stuff like that,” Walsh said.
“But obviously it’s not a good look for myself and that was all, trying to have a laugh and a good time with friends.”
It came after he addressed the clip on social media late Tuesday night.
“Just to add context to the video recently posted – it was a joke with me (sic) best mate no one was harmed, boys being boys,” he wrote on his Instagram Story.
Walsh has endured a disappointing season by his standards and is currently sidelined with a knee injury, which dashed his hopes of playing for Queensland in the State of Origin series opener.
He is expected to return to face Manly after the Broncos’ bye this weekend.
Walsh was last year investigated by the NRL integrity unit over an incident in Bali that left a fan with a damaged phone.
He also made headlines for a video in which he appeared to threaten another fan’s mother during an event for the 2023 grand final.
While playing for the Warriors in 2021, Walsh was arrested on the Gold Coast during a night out and later pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine.
AAP
