Bisexual AFL star Mitch Brown ‘doesn’t blame’ Izak Rankine for use of homophobic slur
Mitch Brown reached out to Izak Rankine after the latter was suspended for the use of a homophobic slur (@mitchbrownie, @izak.rankine/ Instagram)
Mitch Brown reached out to Izak Rankine after the latter was suspended for the use of a homophobic slur (@mitchbrownie, @izak.rankine/ Instagram)
Mitch Brown, the first out bisexual player in the AFL (Australian Football League), has said he ‘doesn’t blame’ Izak Rankine for his use of a homophobic slur earlier this year.
Adelaide Crows star Izak Rankine received a four-match ban (after initially receiving a five-match suspension) following the use of a homophobic slur in a 16 August AFL game against Collingwood Football Club.
Mitch Brown, who in late August became the first AFL player (past or present) to come out as bisexual, has now revealed that he reached out to Rankine, after the latter said he was “deeply sorry” for the use of the slur.
Speaking on The Imperfects podcast, Brown revealed that he “doesn’t blame” Rankine for the use of the slur, instead pointing to a larger culture of homophobia in the sport.
“I don’t blame Izak Rankine,” Brown said. “I would never point out an individual, I would never do that, because it’s more than that, it’s bigger than that, it’s cultural, it’s systematic.”
“The reason why I reached out is I watched him on screen apologising for what he did after he went away and came back from overseas, and I could feel the hurt and heaviness on him,” Brown continued.
“I just wanted to let him know that it’s not his fault. He’s not a bad person. He’s still an incredible role model. I wanted him to know that. I was like, ‘I need to share this with him, it may mean something.'”
Brown, who said that he felt “overwhelmed by kindness” after coming out, including from his ex-wife and mother of his two sons, continued: “Most people would think I’m the radical opposite, we’re the arch enemies. And I just wanted to let him know that you’re still an amazing role model and don’t forget that.
“Part of what I hope for my two boys and what we hope for our young people is for us to own and accept our mistakes and learn from that.
“Don’t give up on standing tall and being proud. Don’t fall into being defined as the person who did (say) the slur. It won’t define you if you don’t let it.”
Brown concluded: “What I am disappointed with is the culture in the system. One thing that really affected me was people telling me that I’m shaming clubs or making this about me or keeping myself relevant – I was never relevant in the first place.”
Multiple AFL players besides Rankine have received match bans for homophobia this year, including Sydney Swans player Riak Andrew and West Coast Eagles star Jack Graham.
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