Steven Irwin (born 19 June 1983 in

Queensland, Australia ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

) is an Australian former professional

rugby league Rugby league football, commonly known as just rugby league and sometimes football, footy, rugby or league, is a full-contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular field measuring 68 metres (75 yards) wide and 112 ...

footballer who played in the 2000s.

Career

While attending St. Lukes Anglican School, Irwin played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 2000. Irwin, affectionately nicknamed "Croc" after the late "Crocodile Hunter" of the same name, made a remarkable rise to first grade football in just 5 years. He spent much of his youth playing soccer before picking up Rugby League in 1997 at the age of 14. He moved to the

Canberra Raiders The Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the national capital city of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. They have competed in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby ...

. In 2010, it was revealed that Irwin was playing for Bundaberg in The Queensland competition.

Controversy

On 18 May 2007, Irwin was with his teammate

Todd Carney Todd Carney (born 2 June 1986), also known by the nickname of "Toddy", is an Australian former professional rugby league player who played in the 2000s and 2010s. He has previously played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Sydney Roosters and ...

when Carney decided to drive in Irwin's

ute Ute or UTE may refer to: * Ute (band), an Australian jazz group * Ute (given name) * ''Ute'' (sponge), a sponge genus * Ute (vehicle), an Australian and New Zealand term for certain utility vehicles * Ute, Iowa, a city in Monona County along ...

, despite Carney having been disqualified from driving at the time. Police began to pursue the vehicle in a high-speed chase through the back streets of the

Canberra Canberra ( ) is the capital city of Australia. Founded following the federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The ci ...

suburb of

Bruce The English language name Bruce arrived in Scotland with the Normans, from the place name Brix, Manche in Normandy, France, meaning "the willowlands". Initially promulgated via the descendants of king Robert the Bruce (1274−1329), it has been a ...

. After turning into a dead-end street, Carney stopped the car and fled the scene on foot, leaving Irwin in the passenger seat. Irwin told police Carney was the driver. Controversially, the Raiders club sacked Irwin over the incident (who was not charged with any offenses), but retained Carney. On 24 June 2007, Irwin lashed out at the

club during a stinging interview in the '' Sunday Mail'' newspaper. He blamed the Raiders for ruining his career and his reputation.

References

1983 births Living people Australian rugby league players Brisbane Broncos players Rugby league fullbacks Rugby league centres Rugby league players from Brisbane Toowoomba Clydesdales players {{Australia-rugbyleague-bio-1980s-stub