NRL legend Matty Johns reveals he doesn't have a computer and lets his wife run his Instagram because social media is 'exploding with hate' which damages the mental health of players
Matty Johns is turning the big 50 in the coming days.
And the NRL star and media personality says he misses the 1990s, when he was playing with the Newcastle Knights, and enjoying 'partying' in a time before social media was 'exploding with hate'.
'Basically the worst thing to ever happen to me was the 21st century!' he tells this week's issue of Stellar.
Back in time: Matty Johns is turning the big 50 in the coming days. And the NRL star and media personality says he misses the 1990s, when he was playing with the Newcastle Knights, and enjoying 'partying' in a time before social media was 'exploding with hate'
'I don't do social media. I don't even own a computer. I don't have an email address and my wife does my Instagram account.
'The social-media aspect has amplified pressure tenfold. The great thing in the '90s was you never knew what people were saying about you. Now you do, it's called Twitter. And it's such a hypocritical world.'
The Fox League host goes on to say that the 'pressure' of the online space can effect a player's mental health.
Not online: Honest: 'I don't do social media. I don't even own a computer. I don't have an email address and my wife does my Instagram account,' he says. Pictured with wife Trish Johns
He added: 'The social-media aspect has amplified pressure tenfold. The great thing in the '90s was you never knew what people were saying about you. Now you do, it's called Twitter. And it's such a hypocritical world'
'As a young player, you turn on your phone and your accounts start to explode with hate,' he adds.
'The upside these days is that clubs and coaches have a far greater awareness of mental health and the toll that a high-pressure environment takes on a young player.'
The footy legend says he's 'infinitely more happy now' and, as he's gotten older, he cares less about what people think of him.
Knock on: The Fox League host goes on to say that the 'pressure' of the online space can effect a player's mental health. 'As a young player, you turn on your phone and your accounts start to explode with hate,' he says
A successful footy career: Matty played 221 games over 10 years including 176 games with the Newcastle Knights, 24 with the Wigan Warriors and 21 with the Cronulla Sharks
Matty played 221 games over 10 years including 176 games with the Newcastle Knights, 24 with the Wigan Warriors and 21 with the Cronulla Sharks.
The former League player also featured in four State of Origin matches, representing New South Wales during the mid-to-late 90s.
He is now a footy commentator and media personality after retiring from the sport in 2002 amid shoulder and neck injuries he sustained while playing for the Sharks.
Matty went on to become a regular on The Footy Show, before hosting NRL panel series, The Late Show with Matty Johns, on the Fox League channel on Foxtel.
Read more: In this week's issue of Stellar Magazine