In a welcome departure from the usual sports fare involving one kind of scandal or another, former NRL star Jamal Idris has delayed any discussions about returning to the game in order focus on building an orphanage in Ghana despite the country’s National Security Council calling for public vigilance concerning what is deemed a credible terrorist threat.
Idris has expressed an overwhelming desire to give back to the world, choosing helping children as his route.
Idris came to his revelation in the weeks after he was forced to flee Vietnam after a failed kidnapping attempt.
At just 25 years of age and with NSW and Australian jerseys to his credit and successful stints with Canterbury-Bankstown and the Gold Coast on his resume, Idris spoke of his love for rugby, even though his second season with Penrith was one of poor form and injury that compelled him to quit the game last November.
In an atmosphere where it is more common to learn about player suspensions or bolting for higher wages despite having committed to a team, Idris’ desire to give back, rather than seek to take more, serves as an example that everyone would be wise to emulate, regardless of whether it is a privileged athlete or an average individual.
