EXCLUSIVE: Terrell May Reveals Why He Never Saw the 80-Minute Prop Role as a Major Achievement

Standing in the centre of North Sydney Oval, Terrell May is all set to chat about footy.

With his signature bum bag slung across him, May certainly has his own style. Rugby league is all the better for his authentic presence. At times, true authenticity can be a rarity in professional sport, but May embodies it completely.

He openly acknowledges how his life experiences have influenced the person he has become today.

In his own words, “my life’s pretty good.”

It’s been a tumultuous nine months for the dynamic prop forward.

He’s toured England with Samoa, faced club cuts, found his footing with the Tigers, and narrowly missed out on State of Origin selection.

With a side of Twitch-related controversy, his season has been anything but uneventful. Yet, it hasn’t deterred him.

“It has flown by, to be frank. It’s been incredible… I wouldn’t change a thing. I love the Tigers, and my life off the field has been great too,” he shared with Wide World of Sports while promoting the upcoming Beer, Footy, Food Festival.

While he’s at the notorious Oval to support the festival, beer isn’t on his agenda.

“I wouldn’t even know what it tastes like,” he told the television crews.

However, he is a devoted fan of suburban football, making it a point to cheer on his local junior side every month, having also spent two years with North Sydney in the NSW Cup.

His journey through the ranks is well chronicled, having stepped away from the game twice at ages 18 and 20.

Now at 26, there is no denying he has emerged as one of the premier props in the league.

At the Roosters, he provided impact off the bench, and now with the Tigers, he’s showcased his ability to play a full 80 minutes in the middle.

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When asked if he has ever viewed himself as an 80-minute prop, May takes a moment to consider before responding that he does not.

“I only began playing prop two years ago; I was always in the back row and never realised that playing big minutes in the middle was such a big deal. I just thought it was normal to play 80 minutes,” he explained.

“When I played in the middle as a kid, I was hardly ever taken off, and even in the 20s, I would go the full distance.

“Now that I’m in the first grade, everyone acts like it’s some major achievement. Sure, it can be tough because it feels like being in a washing machine, but for me, it’s just routine.

“I just need to keep doing my part, whether that means playing 30 minutes or whatever is best for the team—I’m up for it.”

May acknowledges that while his fitness was always present, his work ethic was lacking.

He refers to it as a “trash mentality.”

“I quit a lot back then and engaged in that sort of behaviour, but now my mindset is solid. Whenever I feel fatigued, I remind myself of the hardships others endure; playing 80 minutes in the NRL is a walk in the park compared to what some people face,” he elaborated.

May is unafraid to delve deeper.

“As harsh as it sounds, there are children losing their lives and experiencing bombings. I reflect on this and question how I could complain about my situation when some people don’t even have proper shelter or are forced to sleep on the ground in harsh conditions,” he said.

“I look at my life and recognise it could be so much worse. My life’s pretty good.”

“I believe when you’re content off the field, it translates to your performance on the field.”

“That’s always been my philosophy… before every game, even if I’m feeling a bit down, I remind myself of the struggles faced by others in the world. I’m grateful for what I have because my life is significantly better than 99.9% of people globally.”