HE KISSED his wife and daughter goodbye for what he thought would be the final time, driving away intent on ending his life.
After a poor run of form for Hull FC, depressed Brett Seymour was at rock-bottom and felt there was no one to turn to.
Having downed sleeping pills and alcohol, the 28-year-old decided to drive his BMW off the Humber Bridge.
"I just couldn't think," said Seymour.
"I had suffered depression for a little while and just didn't think there was anyone I could turn to.
"I was ashamed at wanting to leave my daughter and wife."
Speaking at Beverley Magistrates' Court, where Seymour pleaded guilty to drink-driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident, his solicitor, Richard Cramer, said: "He felt he had reached rock-bottom and he did not know what to say or who to talk to.
"He started to drink wine and lager and said goodbye to his wife and kissed his daughter with the intention to then take his life."
Seymour did not reach the bridge, instead overturning his BMW when he smashed into two parked cars in Hessle.
"He does not remember too much about the incident," Mr Cramer told the court.
"Thankfully, no one was injured. It was a miracle.
"With petrol leaking, he was able to climb out of the car."
The next thing Seymour knew, he was in hospital.
"He woke up to find his wife by his bedside at Hull Royal Infirmary," said Mr Cramer.
"He couldn't have hit more rock-bottom."
Seymour signed a £130,000-a-year contract for the Black and Whites for the 2012 season and came to the city from Australia with his wife Roseanne and baby Monroe, who is now just over a year old.
The half-back was seen as the big signing to take Hull FC forward, so expectations were high following his arrival.
Mr Cramer said: "It was a very disruptive season with injuries and he did not hit the peak of his form, struggling to settle in.
"He tried his hardest but he could sense the disappointment of the coaching staff and hierarchy in his performances.
"It then transcended Hull FC wanted to replace Mr Seymour with another half-back.
"He started to feel low and lost his confidence.
"He didn't feel part of the club's plans and depression started to kick in."
Seymour's first season as an Airlie Bird finished with talk of early termination of his contract.
This did not materialise and, following a holiday in Australia to recharge his batteries, he returned this season an FC player and played in the club's opening game at Leeds.
However, despite thinking he had played well, Seymour was dropped for the next game.
Mr Cramer said: "He was then given an unexpected call up to play against Widnes because of an injury to the half-back. It was a televised game."
Hull lost the match 36-16.
"My client admits it was one of the worst games of his life and he was heavily criticised on TV and didn't feel himself," said Mr Cramer.
"He had not been well that day.
"He found it very difficult the next day at training and, as the day developed, my client became very low and very upset and did not know what to say or who to talk to."
It was that night, on March 3, Seymour tried to kill himself, but failed when he crashed into two parked cars on his way to the Humber Bridge.
Mr Cramer said: "My client apologises for the disruption caused to his former rugby club Hull FC and members of the public affected by what happened.
"He is very remorseful. He admits what happened is inexcusable.
"His wife put out a desperate plea on Facebook and, thankfully, through the Rugby Football League, Mr Seymour found out about rehab support through Sporting Chance.
"He did very well at Sporting Chance – attending and completing a course.
"He has made good progress and does feel better.
"It has proved a big turning point and has had a very positive impact on his life.
"He has learnt a lot about himself and says his wife has been his rock and helped him get through a lot of the problems and his baby is a great source of inspiration.
"Mr Seymour would like to pass on his gratitude to the Rugby Football League, Hull FC and Sporting Chance for their support."
Seymour was banned from driving for 20 months and fined a total of £925 for both offences.
Mr Cramer said: "The question now is looking forward, not back.
"I truly believe my client has turned a corner in his life and Sporting Chance has given him another chance. I see a different person to the one I met initially.
"He has a desire to play rugby league. He knows he will have his critics and doubters but he is in a much better place now.
"He is training by himself and has been visited by his manager who is in tentative negotiations to find another club – not this season, but by the 2014-15 season.
"My client does have a point to prove and he has a sense of purpose now."
