Footy legend Todd Carney reveals the day he turned his life around after years-long alcohol struggle that saw him throw away his multimillion-dollar career
- Todd Carney has revealed the day he changed his life
- Carney, 38, had struggled with alcoholism
- He has discovered a new purpose since getting sober
Footy bad boy Todd Carney has reflected on his incredible turnaround and revealed he has discovered a renewed sense of purpose since getting sober.
The former NRL star transformed his life after marrying MAFS star Susie Bradley, with the couple welcoming their son Lion Daryl Carney in 2021.
Carney, 38, has been clean and sober since March 24, 2023, and says his decision has “increased my gratitude for life’s simplest moments.”
“Choosing to quit alcohol is one of the most transformative decisions I’ve made,” he wrote on Instagram. “It’s a journey that has redefined my sense of purpose and deepened my gratitude for life’s simplest moments.
‘In sobriety I have found a clearer purpose. Every day I wake up with a renewed sense of clarity and motivation, no longer clouded by the haze of the night before.
Todd Carney has revealed the date he changed his life
The former football star has a long history of alcoholism but has transformed his life
‘My goals feel more attainable, my passions more alive. Sobriety has given me the focus to pursue what really matters, to invest in meaningful relationships, and to nurture my physical and mental well-being.”
Carney’s NRL career was riddled with controversies, including being charged with drink driving and reckless driving, allegedly urinating on a man in a nightclub, vandalism, being sacked by the Raiders and being banned from his home town of Goulburn, NSW.
That led to him being deregistered by the NRL and forced to play bushfooty with Atherton Roosters in far north Queensland, before being kicked out of the NRL for good after a series of alcohol-related indiscretions, including the infamous bubbler that saw him fake urinating in his own mouth.
Carney said “every day is a gift” as he continues to enjoy life with his young family.
“Gratitude has become a cornerstone of my journey,” he said. ‘I’m grateful for the morning sun, for the energy to tackle the day, for the real connections I’ve formed without the veil of alcohol.
He says that “every day is a gift” as he enjoys life with his young family
“I appreciate the quiet moments of reflection, the laughter shared with loved ones, and the peace that comes with a clear mind.
“Every day is a gift, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to live it fully and authentically.”
But Carney admitted that getting sober comes with challenges.
“Giving up alcohol hasn’t been easy, but the rewards have been immeasurable,” he said.
“My purpose now is driven by a desire to live fully present, be the best version of myself and cherish the beauty of a sober life.
‘I am eternally grateful for this. 24-3-23’.
