A couple of quirky Top Moments are up against each other when the Godfather of Rap, Snoop Dogg came to Redfern in 2008 and then we paid His Holiness a visit when the Rabbitohs went to see the Dalai Lama in 2013!
Snoop Dogg visits Redfern (2008)
Arguably one of the world’s most renowned music icons, Snoop Dogg visited Redfern back in 2008.
He was in the country to do community-focused work, following from his very own Snoop Youth Football League, which is for young kids from disadvantaged families.
So he wanted to talk to some young kids in the South Sydney district about staying on the right path and to make the most of the opportunities playing a sport.
Turning up in a black SUV, hundreds of people flocked; flooding the streets of Redfern.
One who was particularly excited was South Sydney winger and local, Nathan Merritt who claimed Snoop Dogg was his favourite rapper.
Months prior, Merritt received a shoutout by Snoop Dogg via video when Russell Crowe made the rapper known of Merritt’s fandom.
But here was Merritt’s opportunity to meet the Rap sensation for himself.
Snoop visited the PCYC down at Redfern’s ‘the Block’, so it was only fitting that Merritt, who grew up in the area and is a perfect example of the levels you can reach, presented him with a personalised jersey to which he was very appreciative.
A historic moment for the Club’s profile.
Rabbitohs see the Dalai Lama (2013)
Dalai Lama - A title given by the Tibetan people for the foremost spiritual leader of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.
When his holiness visited Sydney in 2013, he was asked by a journalist if he could help the Rabbitohs win their 21st premiership, thus ending a 42-year drought.
His Holiness decided that it was a great reason to offer the South Sydney Rabbitohs a blessing. Fast-forward 12 months from then and the Rabbitohs did indeed break that Premiership drought. Coincidence?
The then Rabbitohs senior players Roy Asotasi and Nathan Merritt had the opportunity to meet the visiting Dalai Lama at a media conference, along with proud Rabbitohs Member and media personality Mikey Robbins, fashion designer Jenny Kee and entertainer Kamahl.
He was presented with a Rabbitohs cap which he wore or held throughout the whole event, and a Rabbitohs hoodie which he happily displayed whilst having photos taken with the Rabbitohs players.
A quirky yet monumental day in the Club’s history.
