When Josh Addo-Carr’s contract was terminated by the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs over a drug-related scandal in 2024, the star winger was at rock bottom – and he still maintains the way he was treated was ‘unfair’.
The lightning-fast winger has always maintained his innocence after he failed a roadside drug test for cocaine and a secondary sample returned the same result in September last year.
Addo-Carr maintained he never took any illicit drugs as the club terminated his contract when he fronted the board a month after the test was taken.
Now ‘The Fox’ has spoken exclusively to The Daily Mail about how he remains steadfast about his innocence after moving on from the saga with the Parramatta Eels.
‘For me, bra, life’s unfair sometimes and it might not go your way… but you just gotta get back on the horse bra… and prove people wrong,’ he said.
‘[You need to] prove to yourself it might not go to plan… and people might not believe you… but as long as you know the truth, that’s what you use as motivation.’
Josh Addo-Carr (pictured) has opened up about his difficult exit from the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
The 30-year-old (pictured with his son ‘Little Fox’) has found his feet at the Parramatta Eels after being sacked over his positive roadside cocaine test
Addo-Carr (pictured) spoke to the Daily Mail at the launch of his custom JAC Hunter, which is set to be showcased at the Melbourne Motor Show April 10 to 12
The 30-year-old has since found his feet in the heart of Sydney’s west with the Parramatta Eels, where he’s scored 20 tries in just 24 matches.
One of the most important aspects of the Indigenous star’s life is wanting to be a positive influence on his children, and his son, ‘Little Fox’, in particular.
‘I take him everywhere with me, and want him to experience and make the best memories with him,’ Addo-Carr said.
‘I never really had that as a kid when I was growing up, you know, in housing commission.
‘But he gets the opportunity to go to games, in All Stars camp, just create good memories outside of footy as well.’
The 15-time NSW Origin representative experienced a difficult upbringing, with at least four relatives being sent to jail when he was a youngster.
He also dropped out of school as a teenager and moved around Sydney, from the west in Doonside to inner-city areas like Redfern.
But as Addo-Carr has matured over his stellar 11-season career, he’s been focusing on his life after football.
The Fox (pictured wearing apparel from his ‘Let’s Trot’ business) has enjoyed success with the brand since its inception in 2022
Addo-Carr (pictured with his son) wants to make a financial mark for his family
Addo-Carr (pictured middle) has been a sensation for NSW and Australia
The Fox launched his own personal brand, ‘Let’s Trot’, in 2022, with the footy star revealing the clothing line will become his main focus when he hangs up the boots.
‘On my days off, and in my free time, I’ve got Let’s Trot to really switch off [from] thinking about footy,’ he said.
‘[It will] definitely set me up after footy, we’ve definitely made a lot of money over the years … people buy it, it sells out every drop.
‘When I do finish up, most of my time will go into that.’
Addo-Carr has revealed he’s become interested in business in recent years in a bid to set up his family financially.
‘Over the years, I’ve just met … business people, entrepreneurs, people that are really successful on and off the field, and … I wanted to be like that.
‘I wanted to be more successful outside of footy, for my kids, for my family, (and) create generational wealth.’
The Blacktown-born flyer has won a premiership with the Melbourne Storm, claimed victory in Origin series for NSW, and has been part of a World Cup-winning team with Australia.
