Footballer Israel Folau's rugby career is in tatters and officials have made it clear he's not welcome to return to the NRL, but he's still got a place on #TeamJesus'' back home.
The outspoken Christian, 30, is apparently unrepentant after his latest fire-and-brimstone Instagram post where he claimed 'HELL AWAITS' homosexuals, atheists, fornicators and drunks.
The hardline post appears to have brought a premature end to Folau's much celebrated footballing career, at least in Australia.
But while he fights for his career, Folau has made it clear that his priority is with what his pro-netballer wife Maria calls 'Team Jesus' - the couple's term for their union with each other, God and family.
This week's ordeal is just the latest episode in Folau's incredible backstory, with the young Polynesian man from Brisbane rising to fame only to hand over his salary to his family, losing religion and finding it all over again.
Israel Folau and his wife Maria are devoted to each other and describe themselves as collectively being on '#TeamJesus'
Folau as a young boy (centre) with three of his five siblings. Folau says his family is 'everything' to him and as a 21-year-old footballer he gave his entire salary to his parents
Folau prompted national outrage when he shared this post to his 325,000 followers declaring 'HELL' awaits homosexuals, liars, thieves, athiests and fornicators
In a candid Good Weekend interview three years ago, Folau told writer Tim Elliott: 'He (God) is what controls me to make sure I'm stable.
'He is my GPS'.
Folau's family is deeply involved in The Truth of Jesus Christ Church in Kenthurst, in Sydney's north west.
His father, Eni, is a top priest, largely preaching there in Tongan.
Family, and the respect of his father, has been very important to Folau.
At the typically selfish age of 21, Folau surrendered his eye-popping $500,000 Brisbane Broncos pay packet to his parents.
Further money was tithed from his income to the Mormon Church of Latter Day Saints.
In return, he was paid a small allowance, and allowed a prepaid mobile phone.
'I just get enough for myself each week ... that works well for me,' Folau told The Sunday Telegraph in 2010.'
By his side: Folau's wife Maria joined him as he fought for his career with Rugby Australia officials on Friday. The organisation says its intention is to tear up his contract
Both Israel and Maria use the '#TeamJesus' hashtag on Instagram
Despite his own misgivings, Folau left the NRL for the Greater Western Sydney Giants for the huge sum of $4.2 million over four years at his father's urging.
Folau recalled in a blog post for Player's Voice that his father said: 'The AFL offer is too good to turn down.'
'You can improve the lives of everyone.
'I was hurting inside, but I didn't talk back.
I tried to fill (the void in my
