Andy Irons - not afraid to speak his mind.

A lot has been said lately about the struggles of Andy Irons. The former three-time world champion has had trouble on the tour the past few years, but this year has been a new low, as Irons is currently out of the top ten and recently performed back-to-back vanishing acts on the European leg of the WCT (he pulled out of the Quiksilver Pro France, and didn'tbother showing up to Mundaka).

Rumors have been swirling regarding the reasons why Andy has been struggling. Some have privately said that he's been caught up in drug abuse (a few of the pros I know have mentioned this to me also). Others attribute it to wear and tear. Some say it's just classic burnout. Coupled with his brother Bruce announcing that he's retiring from the competitive side of surfing, it's been a rough go for Andy Irons.

After a long period of silence, Andy finally spoke up. While he addressed a lot of the rumors in the interview, he also seemed a little angry and defensive. Not to mention the peculiar move by Surfline Editor-In-Chief Marcus Sanders of putting an end to additional comments on the story, because "Andy's seen some of 'em, and is taking the next month away from the spotlight. We closing down comments now, but stay tuned for more." Andy's sensitivity to what others are saying a bit immature?

Here are some of Andy's quotes from the piece:

Andy on bailing Europe: "I just wasn't into it, and I felt like I was going to have a crazy meltdown if I stayed and tried to fake it any longer. It's hard to explain, but it goes all the way back to J-Bay, where I was freezing cold, miserable, and I truly wanted to lose that heat to Granger [Larsen], and just get the hell out of there. I even gave him a wave hoping he would get the score. Ever since then, it's like every time I put a jersey on I am slamming my head into a brick wall, and causing myself even more problems with my sponsors, fans, judges, and all these internet bloggers or whatever you call 'em. What people don't understand is that I am just as confused as they are."

Andy on the rumors: "I know people have written a ton of shit about me over the past year. Blair Marlin [Andy's Manager] has told me bits and pieces of what the word on the streets is, but the other day I picked up his computer and it was on the Fantasy Surfer website. So I got into it for my first time by myself. It's f**kin radical how mean people are, and how they think they have all the answers. I read a couple things from supporters, but most of 'em just talked about how I was spoiled, or unappreciative, or just some drugged out loser. I tried not to get mad when I read that stuff, but yeah, it fired me up pretty good. How wouldn't it? Talking about my wife and shit? What the f**k?

"I am a professional athlete, which means it's part of the deal for people to watch me and watch what I do in and out of the water, but I am not some bubbly f**king angel who is going to go out and try to be your best friend. I have my friends, and I surf because it's what I have always loved doing. No one really said shit when I was winning about how I acted. Now that I have a bad year, everyone is asking me to change, so let me tell you guys this: I have been on tour for the past 12 years. I have won 3 titles, and come runner-up who f**kin cares how many times. Do any of you people ever think about how draining it is to travel all year long, going to the exact same places, when the waves seem to almost always be shitty, trying to keep a winning attitude?"

The interview is long, and rather entertaining. Take a look by clicking here.