Richie Sadlier has been praised for bravely opening up about being sexually abused as a child.
The former Republic of Ireland footballer appeared on The Late Late Show last night, and revealed that he was abused when he was 14 years old by a man who was treating him for a sports injury.
The abuse took place over a period of six weeks, and Richie said he regrets not telling his friends and family sooner.
Richie told host Ryan Tubridy: “For years I never told anyone and for years I used it as the proof that I was a failure, not just that I behaved in a disappointing way but me as a person was fundamentally a failure.”
“My interpretation of what happened was that this was my failing… I almost gave him a free pass. It’s a weird thing to explain.”
“Why didn’t I stop it, why didn’t I run, why didn’t I hit him back? Why didn’t I tell someone, why did I go back? I tormented myself with those questions for years,” he said.
“My thoughts were completely bonkers about the whole thing. I thought it was my failing and the more I thought of it as that the more determined I was that you or anybody else would never find out.”
The RTÉ sports pundit admitted he turned to alcohol a few years later – and following his retirement from football at the age of 24, he started taking drugs too.
Richie said he got “into a mess for a long time”, but he eventually went to therapy and gave up alcohol at the age of 32.
He told Ryan: “I’ve come to terms with a lot of the different experiences I’ve had in my life and the places I’ve been and the things I’ve gone through.”
“I think there’s a usefulness and a value to talking openly about things if you’re at the point where you’re comfortable and ready to do so. I’m very grateful that I’m at that point now.”
After his interview aired on RTÉ One, many viewers took to Twitter to commend Richie for being so honest.
Oh @RichieSadlier what a courageous soul you are, talking openly, honestly & eloquently about the biggest hurt. You model hope for others who walk in your shoes. Now that’s generosity. I wish the very best for you & your wife as you start a new chapter in life. #LateLateShow
— Niamh Fitzpatrick (@NFitzPsychology) October 5, 2019
I’ve had so much respect for @RichieSadlier for a long time but overwhelmed by him tonight on the #LateLateShow. Such an open, eloquent, brave and important interview that will certainly help others ❤️
— Sinead O’Carroll (@SineadOCarroll) October 4, 2019
Watched @RichieSadlier #latelate interview back.
Not a shred of self pity or anger.
Instead, courage in accepting that he did nothing wrong – evil just happened to wander into his young life.Am privileged to call him a friend.
— Sarah-Jane Murphy (@sjanemurf) October 5, 2019
A huge amount of respect for @RichieSadlier, he has shown so much bravery tonight speaking out about his horrible experience.
Hopefully this will inspire more people to speak up, and seek the help and support they need and deserve.#LateLateShow
— Harry McCann (@TheHarryMcC) October 4, 2019
I can’t imagine the courage it took @RichieSadlier to talk about his child sexual abuse on #LateLateShow but he is paving a way forward for other men to do the same. Huge respect for him.
Men don’t talk about it but it is empowering when they do.@oneinfourirish
— Anthony Muldoon (@muldoonanthony) October 5, 2019
I’m very sorry to hear that this happened to you Richie @RichieSadlier and am very grateful for the courage you’ve shown in speaking out about it. You’ll probably never know how many men, women, and young people you have helped by doing so. #courage https://t.co/joPdmveaNi
— Rosie Flynn (@RosieFlynn15) October 5, 2019
@RichieSadlier absolute legend mate.. such a brave thing to open up about and can’t be easy.. you’ve gone to the top of my respect list #LateLateShow
— Gary McEvoy (@GmcEvoy84) October 4, 2019
