Terrell May reveals reasons behind quiet off-season which prompted rumours to reach boiling point
Wests Tigers star Terrell May sparked rumours when he vanished from social media. He explains the surprising reason – and speaks for the first time about the leaked video which surfaced last week.
Tyson Jackson
4 min read
March 3, 2026 - 5:00AM
It’s been a pre-season full of speculation and, if you ask anyone not named Terrell May, the Wests Tigers front-rower has had a few months of hell.
May guarantees that couldn’t be further from the truth.
He went quiet on his popular social media accounts, was nowhere to be seen on the Tigers’ feed, and speculation grew that there was trouble in paradise after May’s best year in the league.
But May was the driving force behind those decisions, determined to raise the bar for the his club in 2026.
“Everyone’s been asking about me, but I just put myself on a media ban,” May said.
“I wasn’t on my insta for like two months, wasn’t doing Mayday for two months, I was just completely locked in and had a big rest because I felt like I drained myself last year.”
The Wests Tigers’ marquee front-rower even requested the club keep him off their social media.
This sparked rumours among the fanbase that he wasn’t training during the off-season.
“Bro, I just didn’t want to be in the spotlight during the off-season and pre-season,” May said.
“They were good with it, they let me do my thing, I am just trying to give all my energy this year into this footy side.“
May’s popularity has skyrocketed since joining Wests Tigers, both on and off the field.
After playing on the bench for the majority of his Roosters career, May launched himself into Origin and Dally M contention, created a social profile bigger than most in the game, and became a fan favourite across the entire NRL.
“I just think I was going too fast, I think I needed to take baby steps, instead I was taking giant leaps in a short amount of time, both on the field and with the work I was doing engaging with the fans and creating content” May said.
Still wanting to maintain a social media presence, May now has a team running his popular accounts so he can keep vlogging, streaming and podcasting.
He’s also taken advice from the world’s biggest podcaster, Joe Rogan, replicating his strategy to block out comments, good or bad.
When it comes to May’s only legitimate issue, the Wests Tigers Kelly-Barnes Medallist spent the pre-season managing a persistent back strain, which interrupted his plans to play in the club’s second trial.
Despite the niggle that kept him from trialling against Penrith, May assures Tigers fans he will be fit and ready for the club’s first game in round two against the Cowboys.
“It’s not like it’s a major injury, just little niggles, and I was a bit overloaded last year, and Baggs (Benji Marshall) came out and said that,” May said.
“We had four weeks from that trial, so why risk a major if I’m not 100 per cent.
“I’ll be available to play round two, and I’ll be at my best.”
Just when it looked like he was past the speculation,
last week May discovered that an intimate video of him from years ago had been leaked.
May and his management notified lawyers immediately, while informing the Wests Tigers, the NRL and Australia’s eSafety Commission.
And while many would think the worst, May has already brushed past it to turn his full attention back to ensuring the Tigers are in the top eight for 2026.
“There isn’t much I can do about the video. It was taken years ago and the actions of someone leaking it were out of my hands, but I’ve moved past that pretty quickly,” May said.
With only two weeks until May runs out to a packed Leichhardt Oval against the Cowboys, the 26-year-old has declared he wants to be a Tiger for life
after conversations began with former CEO Shane Richardson.
May, who is able to negotiate with other clubs from November 1, was well into discussions for an early contract extension with Richardson right up until the week of his departure.
Since the former CEO’s exit, the front-rower said the talks haven’t been picked up by the club.
And for the Wests Tigers, who will also be trying to re-sign brother Taylan, Terrell said the duo ideally plan to be a package deal for the rest of their careers.
“They were the chats we were having with Richo. He even came out publicly and said he wanted me to be a Tiger for life and that’s what we were working towards, but ever since he left it’s gone a bit dull.” Terrell said.
“I do see myself here forever, I love our fans and the club, but I think they totally forgot about it.“
A deal could extend to the third May brother, Tyrone, who has his eyes on an NRL return after winning the Super League championship and, more recently, the World Club Challenge.
Since leaving the NRL, Tyrone has been one of the elite playmakers in the UK competition and was actually offered a contract by the Tigers last year.
Despite knocking that deal back at the time, it’s now believed Tyrone is ready to venture back into the NRL, with the Tigers the preferred destination.
“He’s an NRL player, not a Super League player – we want to get him to the Tigers,” Terrell said.
Terrell’s love for the club comes off the back of his relationship with coach Benji Marshall, whom he says has allowed him to be the best player he can be.
Marshall spent the off-season helping Terrell with his back issues and respected his request to keep a low profile as he recharged his batteries.
But most of all, Marshall’s decision to give younger brother Taylan a second chance has not been lost on the May family.
“I’ve only had him and Robbo (Trent Robinson). I definitely feel like me and Baggs have a really good relationship, and I’m glad he’s staying here long term,” Terrell said.
“He understands me, with the media and off field stuff I create for our fans.
“He gave my brother a chance too, it was only Benji and Wayne Bennett that were willing before he actually played, then all the other clubs wanted him.”
The brothers are both expected to play in round two against the Cowboys and have been working on their podcast and streaming opportunities despite Terrell’s absence from the public media during the pre-season.
