Steven May returns to training after surgery for a broken jaw. Picture: Richard Gosling Source: Richard Gosling / News Limited
APART from the slight bump jutting out from the left side of his jaw Steven May does not have much to show for being on the receiving end of a punch that ended the 205-game career of Gold Coast Suns teammate Campbell Brown.
And even with two plates and eight screws keeping his rebuilt jaw together, the contrite 21-year-old May expressed compassion for Brown who was officially sacked from the AFL club last week.
While Brown fronted teammates and the media to take blame for the incident outside of Los Angeles nightclub Bootsy Bellows - an incident which left May with a broken jaw - May himself apologised for his role in the heated argument.
An argument that had nothing to do with pop princess Rihanna but more to do with two blokes at the end of a long pre-season football trip having a bust up more out of fatigue and boredom.
Because of the settlement between Brown and the Suns, in which Brown is expected to receive 75 per cent of his salary for 2014, May was prevented from legally discussing the finer details of the incident which happened at the end of the club's pre-season training at Arizona.
But he did confess to being surprised by the altercation.
"There is no history between us, we are good mates . . . and the day after it happened we flew home together,'' May said.
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"I'm still surprised by the fight. After it happened we both were still texting each other and checking in to see how each other was going. I know he's moving away from the Gold Coast soon, and he'll be moving on to the next stage of his life, but we've had a good chat and we're good.
"We were both shocked to find out I had broken my jaw - I didn't know until the next day.
We were drinking but alcohol didn't play a massive part.
"It was a dry camp and for 17 days we worked super hard. And because everyone had trained so well we were given one night to enjoy a few drinks.
Campbell Brown leaves the Gold Coast Suns. Source: Getty Images
"Everyone was well behaved. We were given a bit of leeway - the club gave us a bit of trust and I suppose that trust won't be given by the club again.
"But alcohol didn't play a massive part.
"It's a tough pre-season camp. All you do is train and eat - and you spend the entire time with the same people.
"Mentally and physically it's extremely tiring.''
The one matter May does want to clarify is the exaggerated reports that pop princess Rihanna was somehow involved in the altercation.
"I'm a fan - who isn't a fan of Rihanna? She was at the club but you could only see glimpses of her because of her entourage,'' he said.
"But I wasn't chasing her autograph and there wasn't an argument about going back in and chatting to her . . . those reports were ridiculous.
"That said I want to apologise for the part I did play. Campbell took responsibility for what he did, and I have to as well.
"There was no king hit . . . there was a fight . . . and unfortunately my jaw was broken. The club has been incredibly supportive to both Campbell and myself.
"He (Campbell) had an amazing career and what happened was a shock for all of us - not just me.
"It is not how anyone of us would have expected his career to end and I'm glad the club supported him as well.
"No matter who it is, you can't have blokes going around and punching each other and this shows a standard for our club moving forward.
"We know what will and won't be tolerated.''
When May was drafted to the club in 2011 from the Northern Territory, he formed a solid friendship with Brown to the point where he considered him a good mate.
With Brown, 30, expected to move back to Melbourne May expects the pair to remain in contact with each other.
"He actually wanted to come and see me in hospital but the media was camped outside his front door. He's moving away but we've wished each other luck,'' May said.
"He also called me up after his press conference . . . it's just unfortunate that it had to happen.''
Moving forward May doesn't want to be remembered as the bloke that was on the receiving end of "the punch that ended Campbell Brown's career".
Instead he wants to help shape a winning culture at the Suns.
"More than anything I have been surprised by the support of my teammates and the club . . . and I want to repay the club's faith and support.
"In the short term I need to put back on the six kilograms I've lost since surgery and then hopefully, all going to plan, I can start contact work maybe late next month.
"But I do apologise for the role I played in this incident. Hopefully now it is in the past and we can go back to focusing on footy.''
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