Sam Newman (born John Newman; December 22, 1945 in Geelong, Victoria) is an Australian former Aussie Rules football player, television personality and ruck coach.
VFL/AFL Career
Newman's VFL/AFL football career began in 1964, the same year in which he graduated from Geelong Grammar School. He went on to play 300 games for the Geelong Cats as their leading Ruckman and is recognised as a legend of the game.
Post-Football
In 2002, he was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame and is also named as a part of Geelong's Team of the Century.
In December 2005, Newman was appointed as ruck coach for the Melbourne Football Club to become a mentor to players such as Jeff White.
Media Celebrity
Newman currently appears on the AFL version of The Footy Show on the Nine Network and is acknowledged as the greatest contributor to the success of the show. Newman also appears on Sunday sports show Any Given Sunday and commentates AFL games on radio station Triple M.
On-camera on The Footy Show, he has a reputation for controversial antics. He thus complements Eddie McGuire's polished, professional style. Past indiscretions include:
- Appearing on the Footy Show wearing blackface after an Aboriginal guest (Nicky Winmar) did not show.
- Having his pants pulled down, then his underpants soon after, revealing his genitals live to air.
- Being pushed by former Demon player, David Schwarz, after throwing a pie in his face.
Tabloid News
Off-camera, he has a reputation for smooth speech and good looks combined with equally saucy behaviour, including:
- Philandering with young attractive women.
- Being bashed by his ex-girlfriend's boyfriend after a drunken assault.
- Being run over by his pregnant girlfriend after a drunken argument.
- Being ejected from Perth's casino.
- Erecting a large pixelated image of Pamela Anderson on the front exterior glass wall of his Canterbury Road, Melbourne home, without obtaining council permission. However, he was later allowed to keep the artwork once permits had been approved. The building later won architectural awards and is reknowned as a St Kilda landmark.
In 2004, Sam hit the news with his use of plastic surgery to maintain his looks, most noticeably a facelift operation.
In 2005, Sam bought a yellow Lamborghini Murciélago and is known for driving it around the streets of Melbourne.
See also
External links
- Sam Newman's profile on the official website of the Geelong Football Club
- Sam Newman at the Internet Movie Database
- The Footy Show AFL official website
- Triple M website