Ben Cousins looks happy and healthy at a fan meet and greet after AFL star overcomes drug addiction
Troubled AFL star Ben Cousins recently turned his life around after overcoming an addiction to meth.
And the West Coast Eagles great, 44, looked to be in the best shape of his life on Friday as he attended a fan meet and greet in his Perth hometown.
The Brownlow Medallist beamed and raised his arm triumphantly as he posed alongside guests and signed autographs at popular Perth street-wear shop Street X.
Troubled AFL star Ben Cousins, 44, (pictured) looked happy and healthy at a fan meet and greet at Perth streetwear store Street X on Friday
The event was held to promote Cousins’ new limited edition fashion rage for Street X, which features shirts printed with an illustration of himself alongside the words ‘Prince of Perth’.
It marks the second time Cousins has collaborated with Street X, following the sell-out success of last year’s collection.
A hoodie from the Prince of Perth range retails for $150, while printed T-shirts are priced between $70 – $75.
The Brownlow Medallist beamed and raised his arm triumphantly as he posed alongside guests and signed autographs at popular Perth street-wear shop Street X
The event was held to promote Cousins’ new limited edition fashion rage for Street X, which features shirts printed with an illustration of himself alongside the words ‘Prince of Perth’
It marks the second time Cousins has collaborated with Street X, following the sell-out success of last year’s collection
At his peak, Cousins was regarded as the best player in the AFL, but suffered a rapid demise due to his rampant drug use and a total unwillingness to rid himself of negative life influences.
Cousins, who is now a demolition tradie, decided to turn his life around in 2022 after being jailed for the sixth time in 13 years.
The former Eagles captain was convicted on November 4, 2020 and sentenced to seven months jail for stalking his former partner Maylea Tinecheff.
One fan appeared thrilled as Cousins kneeled down and signed a T-shirt from the Prince of Perth collection
A hoodie from the Prince of Perth range retails for $150, while printed T-shirts are priced between $70 – $75
He was released just two weeks later from Hakea Jail in Perth due to time already served.
Buoyed by the knowledge that getting clean and healthy was the key to being a good dad to his children, son Bobby, nine, and daughter Angelique, seven, he soon started talking to Susan Backshell, a mental health support worker.
She issued him a blunt ultimatum soon after they met: ‘Give your all, or forget it entirely.’
At his peak, Cousins was regarded as the best player in the AFL, but suffered a rapid demise due to drug use and a total unwillingness to rid himself of negative life influences
Since then, he has volunteered at several events in and around Perth with Ms Backshell’s community group KALT Collective, acting as a beacon of hope for disadvantaged youths, addicts and reformed criminals.
He was even named as employee of the month at a Perth construction company in October 2021, in another sign he has truly turned his life around.
The flow-on effect has seen Cousins able to spend more time with his children.
Before his well-overdue epiphany, Cousins had been in and out of jail since 2010 on drug and domestic violence charges. Pictured in the depths of his drug and legal woes. He is seen here in footage from the 2010 Such Is Life: The Troubled Times of Ben Cousins documentary
Before his well-overdue epiphany, Cousins had been in and out of jail since 2010 on drug and domestic violence charges.
‘I appreciate the support of everyone and how many chances they have given me, more than I deserve and more than I would have given anyone else,’ Cousins said in September 2021, according to The West Australian.
Ben, who won the Brownlow Medal at the AFL’s best player in 2005, made his long-awaited return to the event in September last year when both the awards night and the grand final were hosted in Perth due to Covid restrictions in Victoria.
He was even named as employee of the month at a Perth construction company in October 2021, in another sign he has truly turned his life around. He is pictured in February 2006 at the height of his sporting success
He attended the Brownlow with WA FIFO worker Kelley Hayes as his date.
While they appeared very happy holding hands on the red carpet, it’s not known if the pair are still together today.
‘I’m just very fortunate that I got the opportunity to come to one of football’s great nights,’ Ben said on the red carpet.
‘It’s definitely a big night, it’s been a while since I’ve been to one of the football industry nights so I’m looking forward to it.’
Ben, who won the Brownlow Medal at the AFL’s best player in 2005, made his long-awaited return to the event in September last year alongside his date Kelley Hayes