NRL off-season drama continues, with Penrith Panthers backrower Kurt Capewell caught in a porn sex-tape scandal that occurred seven years ago.
Days after Raiders hooker Tom Starling was charged with assault, an x-rated video of Queensland origin star Capewell has gone viral over the past few days.
Capewell and his agent approached The Daily Telegraph to publish his story, so he could front-foot the scandal.
"I’ve lived with this for years," Capewell has told The Daily Telegraph.
"I’ve been concerned more for my family that it could come out and the embarrassment it would cause."
Last year, the 27-year-old notified police and reported the incident to the NRL Integrity Unit, when an individual tried to sell images of him in a sexual act with another man.
The incident was investigated, but no further action was taken, due to the video being so dated.
The event occured in 2013, when Capewell was coming through the ranks as a young footballer looking to break through.
Low on money, playing for the Ipswich Jets in the second tier of Australian rugby league, the backrower saw an advertisement for a photoshoot for a sports clothing and underwear company on the Gold Coast.
Without reading the fine print of the contract, Capewell claims the shoot turned from sportswear to nude pics and then an adult movie.
"I was young and naïve," he says. "The organiser used inducements and extra money for being involved in the adult film.
"I take full responsibility for what happened. I'm really embarrassed and annoyed for getting caught up in this type of thing."
Capewell has sent the following text message to his Penrith teammates and gave The Daily Telegraph permission to publish it.
"Hey boys, giving you all a heads up that there’s a video going around of me from eight years ago," he said.
"Bit hard to put the full story into words, but I was broke and doing some modelling, then I got talked into doing a porno. Unknown to me, but it turned out they put a bloke on the other side of the wall.
"Now it’s resurfacing in group chats and I wanted to let you all know, so you could hear it from me and so you all know the full story.
"I’m terribly embarrassed and ashamed even though it happened when I was so young. “It’s something I’ve been dealing with for the past 8 years behind closed doors and I know you will all have my back and stand by me moving forward."
Capewell says his teammates have understood his position.
"It was very hard to tell them, but they were all very supportive."
Capewell, who is in a long-term relationship with a female, has a very clear message for young people, when singing contracts or looking to make quick money.
"My message to young people is to be really careful when being offered money for photo shoots," he says. "It’s not the person I am today.
"I’ve had to learn the hard way and I hope others don’t have to go through what I have endured."
