South Sydney star Cody Walker claims a family tragedy was behind video footage of him attacking a man on a street.
The 30-year-old playmaker has told Channel Nine he was emotional and grieving the loss of his cousin, who had committed suicide earlier in the week.
The incident, which was not originally reported to police, took place in December last year and the resulting video has been the subject of an alleged blackmail attempt against Walker.
Walker says he was trying to defend another grieving family member.
"Seeing her brother, who is my first cousin... seeing him fight, the first thing that popped in my head was 'I just need to stop it'," he says.
"It was a very emotional time for myself and the family leading into that week, and it was not a true reflection of my character and who I am as a person."
In the video, two men are facing off in the street, when a shirtless Walker charges into the frame, karate-kicking one man in the chest.
He is later seen being ushered away from the scene by an unknown person, when a second confrontation sparks up, but is eventually defused.
Walker spoke with the NRL integrity unit on Monday and has confirmed to Channel Nine he would accept any punishment handed down to him.
"Whatever the game or the club come up with, that's going to happen," he says. "I won't be appealing.
"I'm very, very sorry. I left a lot of people down - my family, the club, the fans, the members, the game."
New South Wales Police are investigating the confrontation.
