Brisbane Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam traces his ancestry to the Kuku Yalanji people and St. Paul Village Moa Island, which is in the western group of the Torres Strait Islands.
Ezra, one of the most exhilarating National Rugby League (NRL) players, was born on 31 January 2003 in Sydney, New South Wales.
Ezra, the sensational player for the Broncos, is renowned for unsettling any defensive line with his speed and agile footwork.
His life story is captivating, and most of it is written on his body. His two most prominent tattoos are the portraits of his late grandmother and grandfather, Pamela and Steve.
How it started vs how it’s going 😍
Last #NRLIndigenous Round, Ezra was part of our Wagga TSI Dance Group & tonight he’s our #7 ✨ pic.twitter.com/gPRoeTkwjH
— Brisbane Broncos (@brisbanebroncos) May 27, 2022
Ezra’s grandparent’s dream of seeing him play for the Broncos was not fulfilled, as they passed away before he made his NRL debut.
Another tattoo of the Torres Strait Islander pigeon on Ezra’s body features a biblical passage: “For with God, nothing is impossible.”
As Ezra grew up with his grandparents and the whole family, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s culture and traditions are engraved in his genes.
Key Takeaways
- Ezra’s grandparent’s dream of seeing him play for the Broncos was not fulfilled, as they passed away before he made his NRL debut.
- The Broncos’ 2023 Indigenous jersey draws inspiration from Mam’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
- Ezra Mam accused a rival player, Spencer Leniu, of using a racial slur against him during a hotly anticipated game in Vegas.
Ezra Mam’s Homage To His Culture & Tradition
Ezra made his professional debut at the NRL Indigenous Round 2021. His two nephews, DJ and Phillip, designed his boots with indigenous artwork.
One boot is Torres Strait Islander, and one is Aboriginal to represent his ethnicity. These boots show their cultures individually.
Bisbane’s Ezra Mam deeply connects with his culture. The storytelling in the design, which represents both his cultures, deeply touched him.
Torres Strait Islander people hunt sea turtles, using their shells as designs. They follow them along a riverway toward the sea.
In their culture, they use the backs of stingrays’ tails as sharp weapons for hunting.
The Broncos’ 2023 Indigenous jersey draws inspiration from Mam’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
He said, “While playing for Broncos, I’m representing not only myself and my family but everyone up in the Torres Strait and on the mainland, all Indigenous peoples.”
Mam understands the importance of his culture and the significance of the NRL’s Indigenous Round, and representing his culture gives him an identity.
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He joined Selwyn Cobbo, TC Robati, and Xavier Willison as fellow Broncos’ Elite Player Development Program teenage graduates.
The speedy ball player joined Cobbo and Robati as part of the Broncos’ NRL 30-man squad for the 2022 season.
Before moving into the South Logan underage system, Mam started his junior football with the Goodna Eagles.
Rugby Player Ezra Mam Subjected To Racism
Ezra Mam accused a rival player, Spencer Leniu, of using a racial slur against him during a hotly anticipated game in Vegas.
Brisbane Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam says Spencer Leniu called him a monkey.
After the revelation made by Ezra, Australian sports was battling a wave of racist abuse from crowds.
NRL officials were investigating Ezra’s claim, which overshadowed the start of the season.
Trent Robinson is calling on the NRL to take action against players who gave their opinion on Spencer Leniu’s punishment for his racial slur against Ezra Mam | @ChloeAmandaB pic.twitter.com/DCAfJ5cSxy
— 10 News First Sydney (@10NewsFirstSyd) March 13, 2024
The two teams faced off at Allegiant Stadium. While the Broncos lost 20-10 during the game, Mam reported an alleged slur to the referee.
Though the referee did not hear the abusive language, he formally complained at Mam’s request.
The Sydney Roosters prop admitted to the judiciary on 11 March he told Mam, “f*ck up you monkey,” during a verbal stoush in the Vegas season-opening double-header against Brisbane.
The NRL charged Leniu with breaking its behavior code.
FAQs
Who is Ezra Mam’s source of inspiration for doing something significant for the people of the Torres Strait Islands?
Ezra attributes his passion for serving the people of the Torres Strait Islands to his grandmother, the late Pamela Mam. She was a role model, patron, and matriarch dedicated over 60 years to tirelessly serving the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, especially in healthcare and education. In recognition of her contributions, Griffith University awarded her a Doctor of Griffith University degree in 2018.
What is the Net worth of Brisbane Broncos star player Ezra?
The current market value for the Bronco’s five-eighth is estimated to be $532,800.
