FORMER Prime Minister John Howard couldn't say that precious word, sorry, until he was staring down the barrel of losing his job.

Perhaps it was because Steve Johnson knew his was safe that he couldn't bring himself to mutter an apology.

The problematic Cat, who police clocked driving at 78km/h above the speed limit last week, fronted the media in what was supposed to be a stage-managed show of remorse.

The community-at-large expected Johnson to be humble, repentant and contrite. Instead, he appeared none of the above. But he was relieved alongside chief Brian Cook and captain Tom Harley in announcing he would serve 50-hours of community service with road trauma victims.

There was no suspension, or fine. "Suspension and contract termination was never an issue," explained chief executive Brian Cook, "the issue was whether there was going to be a fine or not."

That decision split the board, until the club's directors eventually agreed on a program of rehabilition. But they would have hoped for remorse too.

Instead, the closest Johnson went to sorry was labelling himself "silly". Tell us something we don't know.

Johnson is fast becoming a serial pest.

Last year, he was exposed by 7News after indulging in too much alcohol during the Christmas break while in his home town of Wangaratta.

He had tried to cover-up the clash, after two previous drink-related incidents. When the club found out, its leadership group suspended him until round six.

Johnson returned in the best shape of his career and compiled a season that saw him claim All-Australian, a premiership and Norm Smith Medal.

Since we were led to believe he had matured, obstained from alcohol and had turned the corner.

Then, the Cats (sponsored by the Transport Accident Commission) were shamed when he was nabbed driving a corporate backer's car (Ford Falcon) at more than two times the legal speed limit.

Captain Tom Harley tried, somewhat foolishly, to explain the club's decision. "The others were all alcohol related" he said. "This one wasn't and we actually see that, as silly as it sounds, a step going forward."

That statement was as silly as Johnson's decision to put his foot to the floor in his high-powered XR6.

His wrap sheet of boozy late-night incidents didn't have the potential to kill someone. This did. This time he was putting his own life, that of his passenger (teammate Shannon Byrnes) and those of other motorists on the road at that time in grave danger.

Saying sorry would have been a powerful message; for Johnson, the club and the community. It would have dissolved anger and soothed shattered pride.

Instead, he was incapable and insulting.

Why did you do it? "Oh, there was no reason to be honest. I have no excuse for it. It was a bit of a brain fade."

Pressed further: "It was just a thing I didn't think about, because if I had of thought about it I wouldn't have done it.

"I took off and soon enough I looked in the rear vision and I knew I was in a bit of trouble - and rightfully so."

Johnson's inability to say sorry is the sign of a real character flaw.

It gave us reason to doubt what little sincerity he dished up. Apparently, Cats get nine lives.

Your Comments

12 Comments

. fraseus - Jan 30 03:26pm

Still purchasing individual medical records Dylan. Brendan Gale is correct, you are a disgrace.

. deeley_r - Feb 01 08:56am

If every person convicted of a traffic offence were to lose their employment because they caused embarassment to their employer we would have a dramatic reduction in traffic offences or an incredible turn over rate in the labour market. It is time the media (tv, radio and print) stopped assuming the role of judge, jury and executioner.

. hawkstar0 - Feb 04 05:03pm

Ditto the first Two. Nick off Howard you are a disgrace and i wouldn't blame any AFL player if they black banned your sorry arse and never ever said a word to you about anything, talk about [profane]ting in your own nest.

. trudi_cooper - Feb 04 05:15pm

is this supposed to be considered a news item?

. beejazq - Feb 06 07:30am

Look whos sorry about what? We are all sorry things happen, sometimes great things come out of the things we are sorry about. like this further discussion. It would be a sorry state of affairs if we all went around feeling sorry for ourselves.. Cheer up better things are around the corner every day.

. pete88700 - Feb 06 11:40am

Oh boyyyy!!! How tired i am of reading articles like yours.Your article was intended to berate a footballer for a no apology driving offence..am i correct?
But is so typical of third rate wanna be journos like yourself to use your platform NOT only to make a comment on a social issue..no you just had to push your own political agenda and spit some venom in the direction of former PM John Howard.
Mate,do you have the attention span of a flea? How safe then is YOUR job?

. ygrinham - Feb 06 11:53am

Mr. Howard did not apologise because there is no reason for an apology - the black race was SAVED from horrific parental neglect, malnutrition, rape (by elders). It is still happening today.
Not one case of 'stolen' has been proved.
Get your facts right Mr. Rudd before you make a fool of youself and say 'sorry' to a race that was rescued from total extinction by these acts in early Australia.
Where is my compensation from the australian indigenous person.

. angus_knight - Feb 06 12:58pm

Dylan old chap methinks you are aimlessly meandering from subject matter to totally unrelated content.In your state of mental numbness you spot the word "sorry". Combine that with your obvious confusion between the name John and the name Johnson & WOW, coherent 'scribbler'finds himself wallowing in an commentary without order or sense.
Concentrate old boy, concentrate !!! : )

. gonnypanman - Feb 06 09:59pm

shouldn't we also say sorry to the stolen generation of english children they arived in australia thinking theyr parents had died and the parents thought theyr chilren were dead they had no choice eather!!
ynnog

. paulbruniges - Feb 07 10:14am

I am upset that in this day and age that ygrinham still cant work out that forcing your standard of what is right on other cultures is biggotry. We need to say sorry and that we will confer with indigenous people before making decisions that so impact their lives. Would ygrinham be happy for us to take his children from him because we decide he's too ignorant to be able to raise children!

1 - 10 of 12 Entries Prev Page | Next |

 
To post a new comment, you must Sign in first.