Former NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler has admonished Wests Tigers prop Terrell May for his recent comments during a Twitch live stream, describing his behaviour as "pathetic" and urging him to "humble up". May expressed his apparent acceptance of not being named in the Blues squad by telling another gamer to discard the NSW jersey he had bought for him, implying disappointment over his selection chances after a report indicated he wouldn’t be chosen by coach Laurie Daley.
In response to the situation, Fittler addressed the incident on Nine’s The Sunday Footy Show, referencing a past experience with Manly player Haumole Olakau’atu, who had similarly posted contentious remarks on social media. Fittler highlighted Olakau’atu’s maturity in acknowledging his mistake and apologising to NSW fans, suggesting that May could learn from him.
Fittler emphasised the responsibility players have, stating that fans cherish the game and do not appreciate flippant comments made while gaming. He described May’s behaviour as inconsiderate, especially given the loyalty and passion fans have for the sport.
May’s predicament follows a tumultuous period marked by a social media misstep where he displayed a lack of understanding of the ramifications of his words, a sentiment echoed by Fittler. Addressing the public sentiment, Fittler underscored the need for players to appreciate their influence and the love supporters have for the game.
The final squad announcement for Origin I is highly anticipated, with Daley set to reveal his selections on Sunday, followed by Queensland’s coach Billy Slater the next day.