Troubled footballer Majak Daw says he is ‘blessed with a second chance at life’ four weeks after plummeting from a bridge in Melbourne.
In his first statement since the December 17 plunge from the Bolte Bridge in Docklands, the 27-year-old said he was improving ‘physically and mentally’.
The North Melbourne defender badly broke his hip and pelvis hitting the Yarra River from 25m up after pulling over and abandoning his car.
Daw reportedly had a fight with his girlfriend before taking sleeping medication Stilnox and sedative Melatonin, then grabbing his car keys.
Troubled footballer Majak Daw says he is ‘blessed with a second chance at life’ after plummeting from a bridge in Melbourne
The North Melbourne defender badly broke his hip and pelvis hitting the Yarra River after pulling over and abandoning his car on the 25m-high Bolte Bridge
‘To all our beloved fans and members, I just wanted to thank everyone for their love and support over the past month,’ he said through the club on Tuesday.
‘The circumstances surrounding my incident have been extremely challenging for my family, friends and anyone that knows me for that matter.
‘I’m making huge strides with my recovery, both physically and mentally. I have been blessed with a second chance at life.
‘My attitude and outlook towards everything has improved. I hope to be back out there playing in the blue and white stripes soon.
‘Thank you all for respecting my need for privacy and for giving me the chance to get better going forward.’
Majak Daw (pictured with Emily McKay last month) reportedly fought with his girlfriend and took a cocktail of prescription drugs before driving to a Melbourne bridge and plunging into the Yarra River
The 27-year-old (pictured on Derby Day last month) broke his hip in the fall and was rushed to hospital after being fished out of the river about 11pm on December 17
Daw is the first Sudanese-born player in the AFL after arriving in Australia with his family in 2003 via Egypt, fleeing the Second Sudanese Civil War.
He was rushed to Royal Melbourne Hospital a stable condition with non-life threatening injuries about 11pm that Monday.
A witness said they saw a man stop his car on the bridge, get out, and then plunge from the bridge into the river.
The $75 million Bolte Bridge, built in 1999, is strictly a vehicle bridge with no pedestrian walkway.
Safety barriers were installed on the bridge in 2017 to help prevent suicides.
Daw was photographed posing with what was believed to be a friend and three fans at The Albion rooftop in South Melbourne the night before he went to the bridge.
Daw recently discussed his mental health demons in a soon to be released documentary, saying on camera the ‘tough times won’t last’
Daw (far right) was seen out with a friend at a Melbourne rooftop bar the day before he fell from a bridge into the Yarra River
In July 2014 Daw was charged with three counts of rape stemming from an alleged incident seven years earlier, but was acquitted in December 2015
North Melbourne chairman Ben Buckley addressed Daw’s condition the day after he was rushed to hospital.
‘Our primary concern is, of course, his mental and physical health and wellbeing, and also the wellbeing of his family, friends, teammates, coaches and staff at the club,’ he said.
Daw’s plight prompted former Kangaroos and Sydney Swans star Wayne Schwass to call on the AFL to put more effort into the issue of mental health.
Numerous other AFL figures sent their best wishes and called for more to be done to look after the mental health of players.
Daw recently discussed his mental health demons in a soon to be released documentary, saying on camera the ‘tough times won’t last’.
‘I have always believed that, if I can just ride it through, I’ll come out stronger,’ he told the documentary crew, according to the Herald Sun.
‘I’ll look back on those experiences and say, ”I’ve been able to go through that, I can go through anything”.’
As an AFL multicultural ambassador, he has spoken out against racism and is widely considered a role model for aspiring young footballers.
Daw had a slow start to his career after he was taken with the ninth overall pick in the 2010 draft.
He only played 50 games but enjoyed a breakout season in 2018 after moving to defence, averaging 5.3 marks a game.
Daw is the first Sudanese-born player in the AFL after arriving in Australia with his family (pictured) in 2003 via Egypt, fleeing the Second Sudanese Civil War
Daw pictured with some of his family in 2016, when he was re-signed by North Melbourne after being dropped the year before
Many of those marks were spectacular grabs as he became one of the league’s best intercept players on North’s second-ranked defence.
Daw had surgery after the season to repair a broken foot but was expected back to training on January 14.
In July 2014 he was charged with three counts of rape stemming from an alleged incident seven years earlier, but was acquitted in December 2015.
He allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl when he was 16 and attending high school, with a second woman coming forward with similar allegations.
For confidential support call the 24-hour Lifeline crisis support on 13 11 14. Beyond Blue can be contacted on 1300 224 636.
WHAT IS STILNOX AND WHY DO SPORTSMEN USE IT?
Stilnox is a medication prescribed for the short term treatment of insomnia (stock)
Stilnox is a medication prescribed for the short term treatment of insomnia and is understood to be widely used by football players and other athletes.
When mixed with alcohol or energy drinks, it can produce a high similar to that of amphetamines.
‘Basically they get a high and it doesn’t contravene any of the existing drug testing protocols,’ New Zealand Warriors club doctor John Mayhew previously told the ABC.
Three-time Olympic gold medallist Grant Hackett famously revealed he used the drug to battle with anxiety issues, but rejected claims he was an addict.
Side effects can include unexpected changes in behaviour, such as rage reactions, confusion and other forms of unwanted behaviour.
Stilnox is only available with a doctor’s prescription.