Former England, Liverpool, and Newcastle footballer Andy Carroll has opened up about a deeply personal and traumatic experience in his new autobiography, Owning It. In the book, Carroll reveals that he was sexually assaulted "a few years ago," an event he had kept largely private until now. Only a small circle of close loved ones were aware of the attack before the book's release. The 37-year-old initially considered leaving the story out but, after discussions with his partner, Lou Teasdale, decided to include it. Teasdale encouraged him to share the details "at the very last minute," helping him take the step to be open about the experience. Carroll described the incident as so traumatic that he hesitated for a long time before including it in the book. He and Teasdale spent considerable time weighing whether to share the account, ultimately deciding that transparency was the right path. The delay in sharing the story was so prolonged that his publisher may have wondered if he had changed his mind. Carroll admitted that thinking about the experience is still scary, but he emphasized that it has shaped him as much as the positive moments in his life. In his book, Carroll hopes that by coming forward, he can help others who have gone through similar experiences. He believes that sharing his story could provide support and encouragement to those who are struggling in silence. The footballer acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but expressed that if his account helps even one person, the effort will have been worthwhile. His decision to be open about the assault reflects a broader commitment to mental health awareness and support for those affected by trauma.