Reformed footy bad boy Ben Cousins stuns a valued member of his team with a classy act
Ben Cousins has once again shown how far he's come, surprising a departing West Coast Eagles staff member with a thoughtful gift that left fans and colleagues touched.
The former West Coast captain, once considered one of the most troubled figures in Australian sport, recently donated a personally signed boot to ticketing coordinator Jess as a farewell present.
'Thank you for all your help, we drive you mad, I know,' Cousins said as he surprised her with the gift.
'Thank you very much, I do appreciate it, I hope that's all right.'
Jess, clearly surprised by the gesture, thanked him and said, 'You didn't have to.'
'It's the least we can do,' Cousins replied.
The club's social media team shared the moment, writing, 'A special farewell gift from Cuzzy to thank our Ticketing Coordinator Jess for her time at the Eagles.'
Fans quickly flooded the comments, praising the act and Cousins' continued involvement with the club.
'So good to see Cuz at the club and looking so healthy,' one wrote.
'He is such a lovely person! So friendly and genuine,' said another.
'That's awesome Ben, all the best Jess,' a third supporter posted.
Some couldn't help but comment on Cousins' physical condition, joking about a potential comeback.
'Get him on the list, looks fitter than when he was playing,' one said.
'So ripped - give him a West Coast jumper and get him out there,' another wrote.
The once-troubled footy star also had a stint on the hit television show Dancing with the Stars
'Benny looks like he should come out of retirement and join the team,' one fan added.
The moment follows a string of humble, generous gestures from Cousins in recent years, signalling a dramatic shift from the life that once saw him hit rock bottom.
In May 2025, Cousins attended the memorial service for his former teammate Adam Selwood, who died aged 41.
He stood beside his 2006 premiership teammates in a show of unity and support for Selwood's grieving family.
Cousins also visited close friend Chass Guthrie in Brisbane shortly before his passing from cancer, later sharing a heartfelt tribute online.
In another touching story, a fan recently revealed that Cousins privately visited his seriously ill wife at Fiona Stanley Group Hospital.
'Legend on and off the field,' the fan wrote.
Cousins' past is no secret. The Brownlow Medallist fell from grace following years of drug addiction, arrests and suspensions.
He was banned by the AFL in 2007 and served a prison sentence in 2017 after a string of offences.
For a time, he was known more for court appearances than football highlights. But since his release from prison in 2020, Cousins has committed to a better path.
In 2021, he made a low-key public return, appearing at the Brownlow Medal and later working with 7NEWS Perth as a boundary rider.He also joined local football club Queens Park and began contributing to community fitness programs.
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