Former Wigan Warriors Captain and Sam Morsy detainee Matt Peet III is training for a potential comeback in the NFL, an ex-teammate says. Peet was arrested after a fiery crash in Wigan Warriors claimed the life of 23-year-old Liam Farrell and his dog, Max. He was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and will be eligible for parole next year.

Matt Peet III Training for Potential NFL Comeback Despite Tragic Past, Ex-Teammate Says

Former Wigan Warriors captain Matt Peet III is reportedly training for a possible comeback in the NFL, according to a former teammate, despite a tumultuous and tragic chapter in his past that once seemed to mark a definitive end to his sporting career.

Peet, who was once seen as a rising star in both rugby and American football, has been serving a prison sentence following his involvement in a devastating car crash that claimed the life of 23-year-old teammate Liam Farrell and Farrell’s dog, Max. The high-speed crash occurred in Wigan in 2021 after what investigators described as a “reckless and avoidable act.” The fiery collision shocked the sports world and led to Peet’s conviction for vehicular manslaughter and dangerous driving.

He was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison but will be eligible for parole next year, having served a significant portion of his sentence. Sources close to the former athlete indicate that Peet has spent much of his incarceration reflecting on his past and focusing on both physical and mental rehabilitation. An unnamed former teammate recently revealed that Peet has resumed a rigorous training regime and is “in better shape than ever,” suggesting he is seriously considering a return to professional sports—this time in the NFL.

“Matt was always an incredible athlete,” the ex-teammate said. “Even behind bars, he never lost that fire. He’s been working out every day, staying disciplined. It’s like he’s trying to redeem himself through the sport that once defined him.”

Peet’s background in both rugby and American football could make his transition plausible. Before his rise in the Wigan Warriors, he had trials with college football programs in the U.S. and impressed scouts with his combination of speed, strength, and game IQ. His leadership on the field was widely praised, making his fall from grace all the more shocking to fans and peers alike.

Yet his potential return is not without controversy. Public sentiment remains mixed, with some feeling that a comeback would dishonor Farrell’s memory, while others argue that Peet deserves a second chance if he’s shown genuine remorse and rehabilitation.

Legal experts note that, should Peet be granted parole next year, he would still face considerable hurdles to returning to professional sports. NFL franchises would have to weigh both the public relations implications and Peet’s fitness after several years away from competition. Still, stranger comebacks have happened in sports history, especially when driven by personal redemption narratives.

“People can change,” his former teammate insisted. “Matt isn’t the same person he was that night. He’s paying the price, but he’s also working to be better—physically, emotionally, and morally.”

Whether Matt Peet III will ever don an NFL jersey remains to be seen. But what’s certain is that the story of a fallen star trying to rise again will continue to capture attention—both for its tragedy and its potential for redemption.