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The following is excerpted from the Wide World of Sports. To read the full article, click here.
The publication’s caption for the above image (with all of his intensity and drive) was, “Tonumaipea following his faith.”
Melbourne Storm star Young Tonumaipea will leave the club to undertake a two-year Mormon mission in Berlin.
The Storm winger will give up more than $200,000 in salary and the last year and a half on his contract to follow his faith, according to the Daily Telegraph.
According to the club, the 25-year-old will stick around to help his teammates through the Origin period before taking off after game III.
“There was a lot of listening from our end as opposed to a discussion about it,” club boss Dave Donaghy said.
“Young came to see us the other day and let us know he was going to embark on a mission for two years. From our point of view he goes with our blessing. I take my hat off to him.
“I said this to him that he might not see but it is a courageous decision given how hard he has worked to forge a career in rugby league, particularly as a Victorian kid.
“When you’re in a team environment, I couldn’t imagine how difficult internally it would’ve been for Young knowing how selfless he is. As Young told me it’s the right decision for him. We are very proud of him that he has had the strength to make the decision.”
To read the full article, click here.
