I could have killed someone: Langer

Rugby league great Allan Langer says he wouldn't have been able to live with himself
if he'd killed or maimed someone while driving drunk last month.
"I know I'd be devastated if a police officer knocked on my door with that news
about one of my family," Langer told AAP on Tuesday, a day after admitting in court
to driving while drunk.
"I just thank God I didn't have an accident that night and hurt someone or destroy
some innocent family.
"That's the realisation that hits you the next day, it's a horrible, gut-wrenching
feeling to have. To ruin a family's life, I'd never have been able to live with
myself."
Langer pleaded guilty to a charge of drink driving in the Brisbane Magistrates Court
on Monday, where he was fined $1,000 and disqualified from driving for eight months.
The court was told he had a blood alcohol reading more than three times the legal
limit when he was pulled over in the early hours of March 29.
The 43-year-old father of young children told AAP he was not looking for sympathy or
asking for anyone's forgiveness.
"I don't want anyone feeling sorry for me, I did a very stupid and dangerous thing,"
he said.
Langer said he was not driving home to the Sunshine Coast, as has been reported, but
heading to a close friend's house in Brisbane where he stays regularly during the
year.
He has received a number of hard-hitting letters from people telling him in
colourful language how reckless and foolish he'd been.
"I just have to cop it," he said.
"I shouldn't have been behind the wheel with that much drink under my belt."
Langer has always been a larrikin, a character players enjoyed being around as much
for his football ability as his love of a good time.
He's never been a great performer in front of a camera or a microphone, which is why
he has not spoken publicly about his emotions and regret over the drink-driving
incident.
But there's another side to Langer, the side where he gives so much of himself to
his fans and back to the game.
It was reported he did a "runner" to escape the media at the Broncos club the day he
was charged.
In fact, as bad as he felt that day, he was fulfilling a promise made much earlier
to visit some sick children at Brisbane's Princess Alexandra hospital.
He didn't want his hospital visit to be seen as a grab for sympathy.
Langer is grateful to his lifetime NRL club Brisbane for supporting him and allowing
him to return to his job as skills coach on Tuesday.
The club suspended him on March 29 but officially reinstated him on Monday after his
court case was dealt with.
After 258 games for Brisbane, 34 Origins for Queensland and 22 Tests for Australia,
Langer says his life would have been "empty" had the Broncos sacked him.
"I love the Broncos and I love rugby league," said Langer, sitting in the stands of
Suncorp Stadium, where he thrilled rugby league fans with his magic for 15 years as
a player.
"My life would be very, very empty without rugby league and the Broncos.
"I miss the game so to have my job and still be involved with it is something I love
doing."
Langer said he was embarrassed to leave his house after the media seized on his
drink-driving charge and video footage of him dancing on a table in his underpants
at a Brisbane hotel.
He was driving home from that hotel when he was stopped for a random breath test.
"Even walking out your door, you're a bit embarrassed meeting people," he said.
"When you're in the restaurant at home you still feel embarrassed when patrons come in.
"I know I did a stupid thing but I try to still be myself.
"I have to put this in the background a bit and move on with my life and try and
help the Broncos get back on track."



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