[2] Proud was originally expected to come within the top ten in the draft of 2006,[3] and early comparisons were made about him to Byron Pickett,[4] but a frightening foot injury pushed him back.

He included in the Lions' side for four of the last five matches for the year and racked up a career high 21 disposals and kicked two goals in the round 17 clash with North Melbourne.

In February 2009, Proud was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm for allegedly throwing a glass, resulting in facial injuries to a 23-year-old[9] female patron at a Surfers Paradise nightclub.

The Brisbane Lions suspended Proud as a result of the incident and charge, preventing him from playing in a first-round NAB Cup practice game and an Indigenous All-Stars representative match against Adelaide.

[13] In November 2015, Proud was charged with attempted murder, acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm and wilful damage after violently assaulting his girlfriend in Sunnybank.