He has been booed, criticised and vilified, sometimes even by his own NRL club fans.
Now Brisbane prop Matt Lodge deserves a "pat on the back", teammate Andrew McCullough says.
Lodge began the NRL season as public enemy No.1 amid the backlash over Brisbane throwing him a one-season lifeline following his much publicised 2015 New York drunken attack.
Lodge, 23, started the year copping boos every time he touched the ball - even from Broncos supporters.
But after emerging as a key factor in seventh-placed Brisbane's push for a home final, Lodge has received something few would have predicted at the 2018 kick-off - high praise.
Brisbane hooker McCullough said Lodge deserved kudos for turning his career - and life - around in the fallout from his US escapade.
Lodge is hoping to announce a Broncos contract extension by season's end after reaching a settlement with the victims of his US attack, following a $1.2-million damages bill.
"Matt needs a good pat on the back, I think," McCullough said ahead of Saturday night's NRL clash with the second-placed Sydney Roosters.
"I don't think too many guys ...have been under the most scrutiny or the public backlash (as Lodge).
"That is from his own doing and he knows that but life goes on and he has done his time.
"The consistency he has had outside that drama is a testament to him and his family - he is a happy guy at the moment, life is going well for him."
Lodge gave himself some credit for the turnaround but did not step away from taking responsibility for his US actions.
"I am proud but at the same time I stuffed it up myself," he said.
"I knew I had to make amends for it and turn it around."
Still, Lodge appreciates not being booed by the Broncos faithful any more.
"That's why I enjoy playing at home. They (Broncos fans) have really turned around and are probably my biggest supporters now," he said.
"Playing footy is not the hard bit for me. It is what I love to do.
"I don't take notice of the outside noise when I am on the field which is probably a good thing for me."
