If Taylan May ever needs motivation, he only has to look in the mirror. Tattooed under his right eye in red cursive writing is one word – “pain”.
The young Panthers centre has revealed the meaning behind the tattoo, as well as why his surname is written across his neck.
And May also spoke for the first time about the criticism he received for posting a video online of a friend speeding through a school zone, and the challenge of trying to stop former teammate Stephen Crichton on Friday.
The 22-year-old scored his first try of the season last Thursday against Souths, and celebrated by pretending to take a photo.
“I jumped on [my PlayStation 5] recently and saw this soccer celebration, so I thought why not,” May told this masthead.
“I’d love to do a Batman celebration, but I don’t know. I want to. But what would I do? Flap my wings?
Taylan May celebrating last week after his first try of the season.Credit: Getty
“The ‘pain’ tattoo in the middle of that photo, it’s basically a bit of a … message for everything I’ve been through. Growing up, the trauma … I was in housing commission my whole life, except for last year when my parents bought a house. It was a tough upbringing.”
The neck tattoo of his surname is even harder to miss.
“I got this during our week off a few weeks ago,” he said. “I got mate’s rates. I don’t like fitting into society’s agenda. I like to be different. That’s the reason behind it. I have no regrets. I am what I am.”
May not only scored his first try for the premiers last week, he also returned to social media after making headlines for posting a video of a friend driving at 96km/h in a school zone.
The NRL Integrity Unit and Penrith looked into the incident, but May was never sanctioned. The Samoan international understands why people were offended by the footage.
“I’ve put myself in other people’s shoes,” May said. “I was in the car, but I wasn’t driving – I can’t say who was driving.
“I didn’t think there was [much in it] but that’s the world we live in. We’re high-profile [NRL players], so any little thing [becomes a story]. I heard I was under investigation, but I didn’t read into it much.
“I’m back on social media now. I needed a reset. I’ll do it here and there. I’ll probably do it again. I don’t like to see all the negative stuff. I know that’s what comes with it.”
Taylan May showing off his new neck tattoo last month.Credit: Instagram
May has been playing at left centre, which pits him against Canterbury captain and right centre Crichton at PointsBet Stadium on Friday evening.
After rupturing his ACL at the start of the 2023 season, May made a point of studying Crichton, especially when it became clear he was likely to replace him in the centres after “Critta” signed with the Dogs.
“I remember watching him while I was injured, and to go up against him now, I’m ready to see what I can do,” May said.
“He’s a physical specimen, he’s built for centre – he’s the perfect centre – and I can’t wait to play against him.”
Pushed on how the Bulldogs had been playing, May said: “I don’t watch any footy. I don’t live and breathe the sport. I just play it. And I try to do my best at it. God gave me this blessing.”
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