Packer achieves MBA dream

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

[**Embracing reality with brutal honesty: Packer achieves MBA dream**](https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2021/03/03/embracing-reality-with-brutal-honesty-packer-achieves-mba-dream/)
[**Troy Whittaker**](https://www.nrl.com/news/author/troy-whittaker/?_ga=2.150867702.1504948808.1614751064-1880323308.1614490325)
NRL.com Reporter
Wed 3 Mar 2021, 02:04 PM

"Life has taught me that I must embrace reality with a brutal honesty if I am to succeed in any domain."

Those words, inspired by Brene Brown's book Daring Greatly, were written by Russell Packer as he documented his life story in the final assessment of his Master of Business Administration (Executive).

It's a sentiment the Wests Tigers prop has embodied since January 5, 2015 - the day he was freed after a year in jail for assault. Through two pillars - football and education - he has redefined himself.

"The ability to accept the pain and discomfort that comes with the truth is essential for any meaningful transformation," he submitted.

Befitting the way he crashes into defences, Packer has confronted his errors head-on during his well-documented rehabilitation.

The New Zealander doesn't shy away from talking about the alcohol, drugs, violence and brushes with the law that characterised his upbringing in the small country town of Foxton on the North Island.

But it's now a far-removed past from which he has grown.

"I want the article to emphasise that there is no sugar-coating the fact that I have made mistakes, that I have been to jail," he suggests at the end of a candid half-hour interview with NRL.com.

"But more importantly that I have accepted responsibility for my life."

This is also a story about remarkable achievement and overcoming the odds.

Packer still loves playing rugby league, but the front-rower has qualifications akin to a CEO after completing his MBA last year at the University of NSW's Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM).

Continue reading here: https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2021/03/03/embracing-reality-with-brutal-honesty-packer-achieves-mba-dream/
(it's a good-sized article. Didn't want to copy paste the whole thing, would be disrespectful to the journalist who put a lot of work into it.)

 

[isaaktigers]

Seems like he still wants to play on in league aswell.

I wonder what will happen? We offer him a lower contract to stay? Or let him sail to another club?

 

[Tim Sheens]

[**Embracing reality with brutal honesty: Packer achieves MBA dream**](https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2021/03/03/embracing-reality-with-brutal-honesty-packer-achieves-mba-dream/)
[**Troy Whittaker**](https://www.nrl.com/news/author/troy-whittaker/?_ga=2.150867702.1504948808.1614751064-1880323308.1614490325)
NRL.com Reporter
Wed 3 Mar 2021, 02:04 PM

"Life has taught me that I must embrace reality with a brutal honesty if I am to succeed in any domain."

Those words, inspired by Brene Brown's book Daring Greatly, were written by Russell Packer as he documented his life story in the final assessment of his Master of Business Administration (Executive).

It's a sentiment the Wests Tigers prop has embodied since January 5, 2015 - the day he was freed after a year in jail for assault. Through two pillars - football and education - he has redefined himself.

"The ability to accept the pain and discomfort that comes with the truth is essential for any meaningful transformation," he submitted.

Befitting the way he crashes into defences, Packer has confronted his errors head-on during his well-documented rehabilitation.

The New Zealander doesn't shy away from talking about the alcohol, drugs, violence and brushes with the law that characterised his upbringing in the small country town of Foxton on the North Island.

But it's now a far-removed past from which he has grown.

"I want the article to emphasise that there is no sugar-coating the fact that I have made mistakes, that I have been to jail," he suggests at the end of a candid half-hour interview with NRL.com.

"But more importantly that I have accepted responsibility for my life."

This is also a story about remarkable achievement and overcoming the odds.

Packer still loves playing rugby league, but the front-rower has qualifications akin to a CEO after completing his MBA last year at the University of NSW's Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM).

Continue reading here: https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2021/03/03/embracing-reality-with-brutal-honesty-packer-achieves-mba-dream/)
(it's a good-sized article. Didn't want to copy paste the whole thing, would be disrespectful to the journalist who put a lot of work into it.)

Packer is a good role model for those that have offended and I generally can't cop listening to the drawl of a Texan, but happily make an exception for the excellent content behind Brene Brown’s accent.

 

[avocadoontoast]

Seems like he still wants to play on in league aswell.

I wonder what will happen? We offer him a lower contract to stay? Or let him sail to another club?

i reckon he's about as much chance to be re-signed as Reynolds was.

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

*"I tell myself that it won't end badly, that rugby league will save me again. I believe I am special, the normal rules do not apply to me."*

There is a good insight into the mind of a NRL player with an enormous ego. There are plenty of them running around at the moment. Look what can happen when they are properly punished and educated.

Todd Greenturd has a lot to answer for the current culture off the field of players. He let so much of this slide and even covered a lot of it up.

 

[JC99]

*"I tell myself that it won't end badly, that rugby league will save me again. I believe I am special, the normal rules do not apply to me."*

There is a good insight into the mind of a NRL player with an enormous ego. There are plenty of them running around at the moment. Look what can happen when they are properly punished and educated.

Todd Greenturd has a lot to answer for the current culture off the field of players. He let so much of this slide and even covered a lot of it up.

Not just Greenberg mate. The NRL has been soft on player discretions forever and PVL talks tough but don't see him punishing players any harder than Todd did

 

[InBenjiWeTrust]

Seems like he still wants to play on in league aswell.

I wonder what will happen? We offer him a lower contract to stay? Or let him sail to another club?

No way, we have much, much better forwards now, we are not that desperate to sign props that play 20 minutes and have 2 runs and gain 2 mm in the progress!

 

[mike]

At least he was doing something productive with all that time on the sidelines.

 

[Curaeus]

Well done Russell. Terrific achievement.

 

[hobbo1]

At least he was doing something productive with all that time on the sidelines.

Parker also achieved the Tour de France distance while on an exercise bike on the sidelines.

 

[Lauren]

Thanks for sharing @Kazoo-Kid.
Congrats Russell on such a huge accomplishment!!
Also, well done to Troy on such a well written article.
Hearing Russell speak of his experiences, has changed my whole take on him (since watching him on League Life a couple of years ago) and I think his story of reform can become an educational tool or inspiration to current youth/players.

 

[innsaneink]

Well done Russell. Terrific achievement.

Yeah... Top effort

 

[TigerWest]

Seems like he still wants to play on in league aswell.

I wonder what will happen? We offer him a lower contract to stay? Or let him sail to another club?

If he stays fit and can contribute, I don't see why we wouldn't offer him a new deal, I would think his last deal will be but a distant memory though.

 

[Russell]

Congrats Russell from Russell

 

[happy_tiger]

What's that line from one of the Rocky movies "The worst thing that could ever happen to you and any boxer was you became civiliized "

Maybe that is us with Packer ...we saw the fire in the beast that was alive ...but someone doused it with water

 

[momo_amp_medo]

I think the man should be congratulated on his achievement.

 

[InBenjiWeTrust]

At least he was doing something productive with all that time on the sidelines.

Parker also achieved the Tour de France distance while on an exercise bike on the sidelines.

Hell, he may even won a few Tours!:astonished:

 

[Tiger_Steve]

I respect his transformation and owning his behaviour. Something many others could replicate.
Still want to see consistency on the field

 

[the_third]

@Kazoo-Kid That's a top read.

On the right money he probably has a place, its up to him if that's the place or money he wants.

 

[TrueTiger]

I think the man should be congratulated on his achievement.

While many degraded the guy on here many times for his misdemenours,it goes to show if you face up to your mistakes and have the want to do good in life,it can and will happen...well done Russ,I hope your an insiration to others going down the wrong track in life...