Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald makes shock gambling confessions

Footy star turned media personality Ryan Fitzgerald has made stunning confessions about his past gambling problems and revealed he considered ‘growing weed just to get by’.

The former Adelaide Crow and Sydney Swan spoke candidly about his short-lived AFL career on Fox Footy’s Bob program on Tuesday night.

‘The four years I had in the AFL – I punted a lot of my money up the wall. My old man was devastated by that because he hates gambling,’ Fitzgerald said, before speaking of the moment he hit rock bottom shortly after being axed by the Crows.     

‘I got to the point where I pulled mum aside one day – it was full on – I said to mum, ”I’m struggling to pay the mortgage”. I even asked mum – I’m going to get some of my mates to start friggin’ growing weed for me just to get by. 

 

Ryan Fitzgerald (pictured with wife Belinda) has made stunning confessions about his past gambling problems

Fitzgerald candidly about his short-lived career on Fox Footy's Bob program on Tuesday night

Fitzgerald candidly about his short-lived career on Fox Footy’s Bob program on Tuesday night

‘Mum broke down and I remember I grabbed her hand and I was just shattered and I said ”I’m so sorry”.’ 

Fitzgerald blamed the ‘environment’ at his first AFL club, which he claimed encouraged gambling habits, and said he wasn’t a big punter in the years prior. 

‘Back in those days, there was a lot of down time between training sessions and in the Swans, the majority of blokes would go down the pub and have a punt,’ he said. 

‘For me, it was you get to hang out with some of these senior blokes going: ”This is amazing”.’

'The four years I had in the AFL - I punted a lot of my money against the wall,' he revealed

‘The four years I had in the AFL – I punted a lot of my money against the wall,’ he revealed

Fitzgerald was traded to Adelaide by the Swans in 2002 before seriously injuring his knee for the third time in a club match in South Australia.   

‘I always thought [football] was the only thing I was good at. Footy was everything in my life. Then it’s over,’ he said, recalling the moment he was sacked after an injury-plagued 18-game AFL career. 

‘I was half way through my rehab again, coming back from my third knee [reconstruction], and my mate said to me: ”Why don’t you try out for Big Brother”?’

Fitzgerald appeared on the reality show in 2004, kickstarting a media career that has seen him become one of the most popular personalities in the business.

Fitzgerald (left) appeared on the program with Western Bulldogs champion Bob Murphy (centre). Pictured right is Anthony 'Lehmo' Lehmann

Fitzgerald (left) appeared on the program with Western Bulldogs champion Bob Murphy (centre). Pictured right is Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann

The former Adelaide Crow and Sydney Swan famously kicked five goals for the latter in his AFL debut

Fitzgerald said a mate suggested he tried out for reality show Big Brother after succumbing to his third serious knee injury 

Fitzgerald said a mate suggested he tried out for reality show Big Brother after succumbing to his third serious knee injury 



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