“I Can’t Do This Anymore”: Ben Hunt’s Emotional Open Letter to St George Illawarra Dragons Fans
In a heartfelt and raw moment of vulnerability, St George Illawarra Dragons star Ben Hunt has penned an emotional open letter to fans, revealing the intense personal and professional struggles that have led him to the heartbreaking decision to part ways with the club. Hunt, whose name has been synonymous with the Dragons since joining in 2018, expressed his deep frustration and sense of exhaustion, both on and off the field.
In the letter, which was released late last night, Hunt spoke candidly about the emotional toll the last few years have taken on him as he has tried to balance the weight of high expectations with the pressures of leadership and his own mental well-being. With his future at the club now uncertain, Hunt admitted that the thought of continuing at the Dragons had become unbearable.
“I can’t do this anymore,” Hunt wrote. “It’s been a battle every day for a long time now, and it’s something I never thought I’d have to say. But I can’t keep pretending everything is okay when it’s not. I’m drained, mentally, physically, and emotionally. The pressure of carrying this team, trying to meet the expectations of the club, the fans, and myself… it’s taken its toll.”
Hunt’s letter marks a turning point in a career that has been full of ups and downs. While the veteran halfback has always been one of the club’s most reliable performers, he has been the subject of intense scrutiny in recent seasons, as the Dragons have struggled to regain their former glory. A high-profile move to the Dragons from the Brisbane Broncos was expected to rejuvenate the club, but instead, Hunt’s time at St George Illawarra has been plagued by constant rebuilding, inconsistency, and internal conflict within the team.
Hunt reflected on the emotional weight of leading a team through difficult times, a task that was compounded by a lack of support at critical moments. “I came here to help rebuild, to bring success back to the Dragons, but it hasn’t worked out the way any of us hoped. I’ve put everything I have into this club, into this jersey. But no matter how hard I try, it feels like we’re always taking one step forward and two steps back,” he wrote.
One of the most poignant aspects of the letter was Hunt’s acknowledgment of his personal struggles, which he had largely kept private until now. He spoke about the mental health challenges that have accompanied his professional setbacks, including moments of self-doubt and loneliness that have lingered throughout his time at the club. “There have been times I’ve questioned myself, my purpose, and whether I’m good enough to lead this team. It’s been tough to keep going when you feel like you’re giving everything but not seeing the results.”
Hunt’s decision to speak so openly about his struggles is a rare and courageous moment in a sport where mental health is often overlooked. “I’m not saying goodbye just yet, but I need to take a step back,” Hunt wrote. “I need to find peace, to get back to being myself again, and to find the love for the game that I’ve lost along the way.”
Despite his emotional farewell to the club, Hunt assured fans that he remains committed to finishing the season strong. “I’ll give everything I have left for this club and its fans, because they deserve that. I owe it to them,” he concluded. “But after that, I don’t know what the future holds.”
Ben Hunt’s letter to the fans is a stark reminder of the human side of professional sport, where the pressure to succeed can sometimes take a greater toll than the physical demands of the game. Fans, teammates, and the entire rugby league community now wait to see what the next chapter holds for one of the game’s most respected players
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