Kevin Proctor breaks silence after being KO'd at RUNIT event by Jordan Simi in Dubai

The Australian

4 days ago

Former NRL star Kevin Proctor has no regrets about taking part in RUNIT 02 in Dubai over the weekend, despite suffering a shocking knockout that has gone viral on social media.
The 282 NRL game second rower came off second best after getting his head in the wrong position in an exhibition run it straight contest against former lower grade footy player turned social media influencer Jordan Simi.
Footage of the hit showed the former Kiwis forward face-plant onto the astroturf with his arms and legs stiffening as medical personnel rush to him.
Proctor was cleared by a doctor the morning after the event and is flying back to Australia.
In his first comments since the event, Proctor thanked RUNIT organisers and admitted he got the hit wrong.
'Just want to say thank you to everyone that has messaged me to ask if I was alright,' Proctor wrote on Instagram before flying back to Australia. 'I'm all good.
'We all know what we sign up for getting in there.
'It's a contact sport and unfortunately I put my head in the wrong place and came out second best.
'Ya win some ya lose some ... but no hard feelings. Hats off to the bro. It is what it is.
'I got in there had a crack at least.
'I like to thank @runit.league for having me! Still grateful to be apart of it and im sure you guys are only going to get bigger n bigger.
'Congrats to all the winners and organisation for putting on a great event.
'On my way back home now to see my darling, kids and family ... thanks again to everyone for the support.'
Kevin Proctor's collision with Jordan Simi. Picture: Supplied/Instagram
Simi – Proctor's opponent in the exhibition run it straight challenge – is sitting beside him in the Instagram post, and commented: 'Don't do that again yeahhhh. Got me in trouble with your mumsy. Love brother.'
The Dubai event was the third high profile competition RUNIT has staged after similar contests in Melbourne and Auckland in May.
The event had a massive prize pool, with first place leaving with $200,000, second place pocketing $50,000 and third place walking away with $25,000.
A social media sensation, RUNIT has gone viral with clips of big hits and thunderous collisions spreading like wildfire on Instagram and TikTok.
It has attracted a huge amount of criticism as well though, with dozens of CTE experts slamming it.
Meanwhile the Warriors, New Zealadn Rugby League, Rugby Australia and the Melbourne Storm hav moved to distance themselves from the craze.
Brendan Bradford
Content producer
Brendan Bradford is a sports writer for CODE Sports. He primarily covers combat sports, league, union, cycling and athletics. Brendan has worked in sports media for a decade, covering world title fights, World Cups, Grand Slams and Spring Tours.
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Brendan Bradford