'I thought she was dead': NRL star reveals how he found his mother clinging to life from an overdose - and he still can't give her money in case she spends it on drugs
- NRL star Braidon Burns has opened up about his troubled upbringing
- Burns spoke about finding his mother overdosed with a needle still in her arm
- He also spoke about his father's battle to stay out of prison and trouble
One of the NRL's fastest rising stars has opened up about his troubled childhood and the day he came home from school to find his mother overdosed in a car.
As a child, South Sydney Rabbitohs winger and centre Braidon Burns said he watched his mum and other relatives struggle with drug addiction as his convicted armed robber father bounced in-and-out of prison.
But one fateful day has forever left a mark on his life, the 22-year-old told The Daily Telegraph's Nick Walshaw for the first time in a tell-all interview.
'Looking in, I thought she was dead. Whenever I'm struggling with a decision, I think of finding mum. Of being rocked, then ringing the police,' Burns told the publication.
NRL star Braidon Burns (pictured) has opened up about his troubled upbringing which included finding his mother in a car, needle in her arm and near death, after a drug overdose
He recounted a story to the publication of how his mother had recently come to a training session asking for money and how he had to turn her down and watch her cry
Burns couldn't turn to his father for support as the man had spent time inside and outside of prison all throughout his life.
While his parents had demons to overcome he said he would still always be there to support them in the important ways.
He recounted a story to The Daily Telegraph of how his mother had recently come to a South Sydney training session asking for money and how he had to turn her down and watch her cry.
He said he couldn't in good conscience give her money not knowing what it would be spent on, but when it came to food and living essentials he was always willing to help.
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He entered the sheds after turning down his mother's request and cried to himself before coach Wayne Bennett, a child of an alcoholic parent, came in to comfort the young star.
It was a hard thing for the rugby league player to do, and open up about with the media, but he said his experiences as a child still impact him today.
Burns gave his father one last chance at redemption after he completed a recent jail sentence but he was sadly let down when his father was right back behind bars.
The demons his parents battled were ones that Burns felt he had to take on as he grew up, saying he used to blame himself for the longest time.
He found his mother, needle hanging from her arm, passed out and near death after a drug overdose when he was just a child
But in recent years Burns has turned that feeling into a drive to help others, to be a strong community leader and one day after football, possibly a police officer.
The Indigenous star is known to use his holidays to visit remote communities to help teach the basics for a happy life including a good diet and a healthy lifestyle.
He already has a relationship with the police by lending a hand and speaking to other young people via Facebook.
Showing wisdom beyond his years the 22-year-old said he would never be able to completely understand what his parents have been through and he just wants the best for them.
He also has a younger brother, Darcy, 15, who he is in the process of becoming the legal guardian for, again showing wisdom and drive beyond his years.
He said he hopes other young people struggling with their home lives can find strength from his story.
'So now, I've just decided it's best for me to open up. To get this out so other kids can read it, hear it and hopefully benefit,' he said.
'Because I'm not embarrassed anymore. This is my story.'
Daily Mail Australia contacted the South Sydney Rabbitohs for comment but Burns declined to speak further.
Showing wisdom beyond his the 22-year-old said he could never be able to fully understand the what his parents have been through and he just wants the best for them (pictured with his cousins)
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