The ex-Irish footballer has received a huge outpouring of support from viewers.
Friday night’s The Late Late Show proved to be a massively emotional one, following an interview with Jonathan Walters, who opened up to Tubridy on the couch about his mother’s death, as well as some more recent tragic incidents that have struck his family.
Walters, who played for the Republic Of Ireland team from 2010 to 2018, became very emotional while discussing his personal life, and that public display of emotion is one that struck viewers as a display of pure strength.
The fact that these tragedies occurred, and Walters wanted to emotionally discuss them on television, to let other people know that the worst things can happen but it is still possible to power through, is a hugely important one.
As Walters himself says, talking about the passing of his mother was seen as a “taboo” subject, most likely because it was viewed as being “too emotional” for men to openly discuss.
Thankfully, with men like Walters and others no longer being afraid to show their hearts on their sleeves, that taboo is being broken.
Watch the powerful clip here:
Clip via The Late Late Show
Following on from the interview, the internet lit up with a huge outpouring of emotional support for the Walters:
Absolutely courageous and heartfelt interview tonight on#latelate with Jon Walters. Such vulnerability. It took courage and strength to talk so candidly about loss and trauma.
Huge respect.— Maria Doyle (@MariaDo20518320) May 24, 2019
Jon Walters with an incredible interview on The Late Late. You have to admire his honesty and courage.
— Ryan O'Grady (@ryanogrady97) May 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/hare191/status/1132052156222189569
https://twitter.com/sixer131/status/1132051211346153472
Jon Walters is an absolute hero. He has always come across as such a decent, hard-working person, a tough guy with a heart. What a brave, decent, honourable man. Ireland will always have your back, @JonWalters19 @RTELateLateShow
— Fiachra Ó Cionnaith 😊 (@Ocionnaith) May 24, 2019
Loved @JonWalters19 the player, love Jon Walters the man. What an emotional & powerful interview in an era where high profile sportspeople are trained to say so very little. He left it all out there tonight, like he did on the pitch for Ireland time & time again. #LateLate
— Niall McGarry (@MrNiallMcGarry) May 24, 2019
Fair play to Jon Walters, very hard to watch, spoke well. More conversations like that needed #LateLateShow
— Sheen (@SheenyMac21) May 24, 2019
Jesus he's been through some shit, fair play for his honesty and telling us his story , Jon Walters was a good player for Ireland but he never had more fans than he does after tonight. 👏👏👏
— aidanj (@pacman4482) May 24, 2019
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