Wigan’s Tyler Dupree reveals his biggest fan, critic and inspiration

MUM IS the word for Tyler Dupree and as the Wigan ace found out, he says what Jackie says.

Whether it’s rugby or buying a house, he turns to her for advice – after being told he could end up in jail one day, it’s a good thing he listened.

And after seeing domestic violence and hearing racist comments growing up, he knows she’s the perfect role model.

Dupree may be a World, Super League and Challenge Cup champion, but it could easily have gone the other way as life in Halifax was tough.

But he needn’t look far for a guiding word, as his route to the top via Championship Oldham also ensures he doesn’t get lost in the trappings of success.

“Mom is definitely not sugarcoating things,” Dupree said. “She’s always the voice of reason and I don’t make a decision without consulting her.

“If I buy a house and she doesn’t like it, I don’t buy it. I bought one in Halifax without letting her see it and it turned out to be a disaster!

“Now I’m buying one from Wigan, I’ve made sure she’s made an hour-and-a-half journey to look at it first and make sure it’s right.

“She’s the first person I go to after a game. He tries to wrap it up when he’s around people, but then he’d call me and ask what I was doing?

“Her opinion is so important to me. Without her, I wouldn’t be where I am. Even when I go home now, they keep telling me!

“If I did something wrong on the field, he would tell me. Off the field, she helps keep me accountable. If I’m not doing something he’s okay with, he lets me know.

“There is only one person I fear – my mother.

“He told me that the way I was as a child could go one of two ways, prison or an altercation with the wrong kind of person.

“My upbringing keeps me grounded and humble and the path I’ve been on I wouldn’t change a thing. I know what it’s like at the bottom and my time at Oldham really helped me become the person I am.

“I’m forever grateful to them for taking a chance on someone that no one wanted at that time.”

Dupree helps lead the Rugby Football League’s Tackle The Tough Stuff campaign, where players and officials talk openly about what they’ve experienced off the field.

Tougher things will be called for in the derby against St Helens tonight and the 24-year-old admits his persona on the pitch can be anything but caring as he looks to prove he belongs.

He added: “Off the pitch I try to put others first. I try to do that, but that comes with a bit of aggressiveness and a competitive nature.

“I learned to put my aggression into rugby. That comes from wanting to do well and trying to prove that I deserve to be where I am.

“It took me a long time to believe that I belong to such a team. I will never fully believe that I deserve it, but I will always work on this point.

“And tonight is a massive game. The Saints are a good team. To be four points ahead with a game in hand is very nice, but we’re not progressing.”

While beating Saints is at the top of his to-do list, arriving in Las Vegas to face Warrington in March with all four trophies.

The historic clash comes in the following week’s World Club Challenge, which Matt Peet’s men hope to defend after winning the Super League and League Leaders’ Shield.

With the Challenge Cup already in the bag, he wants more extra baggage – trophies.

Dupree told SunSport: “To go there with every trophy would be huge.”