BREAKING: Former West Coast Eagles player Mitch Brown has made history as the first openly bisexual man in the AFL, but not all clubs are responding positively. As of today, Brown has called out several AFL teams for their silence on his groundbreaking announcement.
Following his revelation earlier this week, Brown has received an outpouring of support from fans and various sporting clubs. However, he is closely monitoring the responses and noted that by Saturday afternoon, four significant clubs had yet to comment: Collingwood, Geelong, Adelaide Crows, and Brisbane Lions.
In a poignant moment for the sport, several teams, including the GWS Giants, Fremantle, Port Adelaide, Gold Coast, and his former team, the West Coast Eagles, publicly expressed their support for Brown’s announcement. The Carlton and St Kilda clubs also joined in, echoing the call for greater inclusion in the league.
However, the silence from certain clubs raises critical questions. The Adelaide Crows recently faced backlash after forward Izak Rankine was banned for using a homophobic slur, prompting fans to wonder why the club has not addressed Brown’s coming out.
Brown took to social media to express his disappointment, tagging the silent clubs in an Instagram story. “Collingwood, might not pay my membership next year at this rate,” he wrote, showcasing his frustration. He also mentioned Geelong, where his twin brother coaches in the AFLW, saying, “you know my bro works with you right?”
In a shot at the Brisbane Lions, Brown humorously stated, “you’re off the hook. The Taylor Swift engagement is so much bigger than this,” referencing the club’s choice to highlight celebrity news over his historic announcement.
In comments shared with The Daily Australia, Brown reflected, “I can’t help but think about how my younger self would have felt if my club didn’t show their support for something like this back when I was playing.” He emphasized that his coming out represents a vital opportunity for clubs to influence the culture and attitudes of their fans.
As the AFL faces increasing pressure, including calls to reconsider Snoop Dogg‘s appearance at the grand final due to previous homophobic comments, the spotlight remains on how clubs choose to respond. Brown’s call for acknowledgment from the silent clubs underscores a significant moment for representation in sports.
The urgency for change is palpable, and as more players and organizations weigh in, all eyes are on the AFL to see how they will navigate this critical juncture in their history. Fans are encouraged to share their thoughts and support for Brown as the conversation continues to unfold.
