Broncos Star Ezra Mam Faces NRL Ban After Shocking Drug-Driving Crash That Left Three Injured

Brisbane Broncos playmaker Ezra Mam, aged 22, is facing potential disciplinary action from the NRL after being issued with a breach notice for bringing both the game and the Broncos club into disrepute. The breach follows a court appearance on December 16, where Mam was fined $850 for drug driving and driving without a license. He was also disqualified from driving for nine months and issued an infringement notice for failing to maintain proper control of his vehicle.

The incident in question occurred on October 18 when Mam, driving his Ford Ranger, swerved into oncoming traffic and collided with a car driven by Uber driver Marcel Van Den Camp. The collision left the driver, a female passenger, and her infant daughter injured. Mam was found to have a mixture of illicit drugs, including cocaine, in his system at the time.

In Brisbane Magistrates Court, Magistrate Mark Nolan expressed severe disapproval, criticizing Mam for his reckless actions. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, highlighting how fortunate Mam was to have avoided worse consequences, including potential death or injury to others involved in the crash. “There’s no place for illicit drugs in our community, and there’s certainly no place for a person who is using illicit drugs to get behind the wheel of a car,” Nolan stated.

The public reaction to the court’s ruling was one of outrage. Queensland’s Deputy Premier, Jarrod Bleijie, condemned the punishment as inadequate, describing it as “a slap on the wrist.” Attorney-General Deb Frecklington also expressed concern, suggesting the government would consider revising the laws to ensure stricter penalties for drug-driving offenses.

Mam issued a heartfelt apology, acknowledging the mistake and assuring fans, the NRL, and his family that the incident was not a reflection of his character. He promised to work on being a better person and representative of the sport.

The Broncos have moved quickly to address Mam’s absence, securing the signing of Ben Hunt on a two-year deal. Despite his promise to improve, Mam’s future in the game is uncertain as the NRL awaits his response to the breach notice, which could lead to a lengthy suspension. The 57-game NRL veteran, who played a pivotal role in the Broncos’ 2023 grand final loss, will now face significant scrutiny as he attempts to rebuild his reputation both on and off the field.