Both Aboriginal players hailed from the rough areas of western NSW before coming to the big city to play footy. Both were subjected to racial abuse.<\/p>\n
And like Naden is alleged to have done, Williams dabbled in drugs while he was playing.<\/p>\n
"I was an addict during my career so I know a fair bit about the demons Brent is going through," Williams, now a professor of psychology, told Wide World of Sports<\/em>.<\/p>\n "And I've known the kid since he was 15. He is a great talent and a good kid and it's a shame right now that everyone wants to throw him under the bus.<\/p>\n "He needs help and the thing we should all be focusing is not 'what went on' and judge him, but the 'why' behind his actions.<\/p>\n "Why before the biggest game of anyone's career, why would he go to that point?<\/p>\n "Someone has to be unwell to take that risk and there is some serious help that is needed.<\/p>\n "He obviously has issues and I actually reached out to him yesterday before the (cocaine) story broke because a mutual friend told me he was struggling to cope with things.<\/p>\n "I am waiting for him to get back to me but the club has probably told him to lay low for a while, which is understandable."<\/p>\n Williams says Naden's life and career are at the crossroads.<\/p>\n "Plenty of guys in the NRL that have done bad things," he said. "Andrew Johns had similar issues and he went on to become an Immortal.<\/p>\n "Brent has a massive career in front of him that could spiral right now.<\/p>\n "I want to sit him down, talk to him, get into his mind, see what is troubling him and hopefully fix it and get him back on the right track."<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n
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