NRL legend explains why he's retiring after 33 years
NRL legend Paul Vautin has revealed the exact moment he knew his time on-air was over, just days after announcing his retirement.
The 65-year-old shocked the sports world on Sunday when he confirmed his career on TV was coming to an end, saying he's "run out of petrol” and would not be continuing with his job with Channel 9 into 2025.
Speaking candidly in the days after the shock announcement, Vautin - who has affectionally been known as Fatty during his career - detailed the exact moment he realised it was time to walk away.
“Something changed this year. I’d be driving up in three hours of traffic on a Friday afternoon going ‘oh my god what am I doing?’” he said on SEN’s The Run Home with Joel and Fletch.
“In the end I just felt as though I’d rather be at home watching the footy on a Friday night than working on it. I still love the game immensely but I just thought ‘you know what I think I’m done’."
“There was one particular moment when the Brisbane Broncos were playing the Roosters on a Friday night at Suncorp and look it was a pretty good game, I was commentating with Joey and we were having a good time."
“Then 20 minutes into the second half I was looking out at the field going, ‘Oh my god I am so bored’. I drove home thinking wow that had never happened before and I knew then it was the beginning of the end.”
While fans are hopeful the NRL icon will reverse his decision and return to commentary, the 65-year-old says he has no intention of working again.
“I’ll let you in on a little secret. I will never work again. I’m done. I’m not looking for work,” Vautin said.
“No way. I don’t want to do anything. I don’t want to do radio, podcasts. I don’t want to do anything. I’m happy.”
Image credits: Nine/SplashNews.com/Shutterstock Editorial