Troubled NRL star Sam Burgess has claimed rehab saved his life just days after he fronted court for driving with cocaine in his system - and told how he plans to relaunch his rugby league career.
Burgess on Tuesday avoided a conviction despite pleading guilty to three driving charges following a February 22 police traffic stop where he tested positive for cocaine.
In March, his conviction for intimidating his ex-wife Phoebe s father Mitchell Hooke in the aftermath of the couple s messy break-up was overturned by a judge.
Burgess has since revealed he has stopped drinking completely in an attempt to change his life for the better.
He was also instructed to undergo a traffic offender program.
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Sam Burgess retired from the NRL at the end of the 2019 season. Court documents outlined Burgess’ lengthy traffic record, which contained 32 offences prior to February. All the offences were committed on his UK license. The records showed how Burgess had been caught with his mobile phone 10 times and was caught by speed cameras exceeding the limit 20 times between 2010 and 2020. The records showed the fines were chased up by the state debt recovery office. Burgess was only stopped by highway patrol in February because his car was not registered due to $1200 worth of debts being incurred.
Sam Burgess was caught in February driving with cocaine present in his system
He checked himself into a Gold Coast rehabilitation facility and stayed a month
Gold Coast Detox and Rehab offers $1,500-a-day home-style accommodation
Burgess told counsellors his life had been horrific and emotional for two years
A messy divorce and forced retirement from football had caused major stress
Just a few more greys these days, he said.
Some studies show that hair can lose pigment due to chronic or high levels of stress.
However, most scientists believe genetics and age are the primary factors in the development of prematurely grey hair.
Ageing: A source close to Burgess said the former Rabbitohs star, 32, was amused to learn some people were more focused on his grey hair than his recent court victory. Pictured: Sam with dark brown hair on April 18, 2017
It comes after Burgess escaped conviction for driving with cocaine in his system while on his way to pick up his two young children.
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Additionally, it s possible the athlete may have previously dyed his hair, and has recently ceased doing so.
A source close to the star said he was amused to learn that attention was being focused on his silvery locks after his recent court victory. Yes, I m ageing like the rest of the population, he told a close friend of the speculation on Tuesday evening. It s just silly.
Burgess also insisted he had never dyed his hair, which had been gradually going grey for years. Just a few more greys these days, he said.
New do: Formerly brunette, the one-time South Sydney Rabbitohs player appeared to have turned fully grey in recent months. Pictured left in 2018, and right on Tuesday