- Brendan Fevola throws support behind Mitch Brown
AFL legend Brendan Fevola has spoken about how he would have reacted if he’d had to share a dressing room with a gay player, following ex-Eagles star Mitch Brown’s widely praised revelation that he’s bisexual.
The 36-year-old former West Coast player made the landmark announcement on Wednesday with the simple but historic words, ‘I played in the AFL for 10 years for the West Coast Eagles and I’m a bisexual man.’
Brown told The Daily Aus that the ‘hypermasculinity’ in AFL teams made it impossible for him to be his true self.
‘In the locker room and in the spas, the chats were all geared around “who did everyone pick up on the weekend?” Or, you know, “she’s pretty hot”,’ Brown said.
‘It was never once an opportunity to speak openly or explore your feelings or questions in a safe way.
‘I remember two people having a conversation around how they would feel having a shower next to a gay man, and one of the players said, “I’d rather be in a cage full of lions than have a shower next to a gay man”.
Brendan Fevola lauded Brown’s courage and took aim at outdated attitudes
Mitch Brown (pictured, centre) is the first AFL/VFL player in the almost 130-year history of the league to come out as bisexual
Fevola, speaking on 101.9 The Fox’s Fifi, Fev & Nick, saluted Brown’s courage and took aim at offensive attitudes towards gay players.
‘It’s massive. Odds are there are [other gay players in the AFL], and God knows what they’d be thinking in the footy rooms getting changed because it’s very masculine in a footy room,’ he said.
‘I probably would have played with some players that were gay – and I don’t know because no one else has ever come out – but I’d have no problem with it.
‘You get attracted to people from the same sex or a different sex, but it doesn’t mean you want to be with everyone. They’re worried that he’s in the shower with [them], but that’s not what he’d be thinking.
‘There’s no issue with someone being gay and being in the same shower block as you because you’re just not attracted to everyone. I’d be like, “Bro, I’m not attracted to you either, so don’t worry about it!”
Fevola went on to say that he hoped Brown’s actions would inspire others to come out.
‘I think that he [Mitch Brown] has started something that will encourage other people,’ he said.
‘He should be able to express himself. Hopefully, this encourages other players to say, “Well, if Mitch can do it, [so can I].”
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon has praised Brown (pictured) for his courage
‘Imagine playing with that one on your head and shoulders.’
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon lauded Brown for his bravery on Wednesday.
‘Mitch has shown great courage … this is an important moment for him and for our entire game,’ Dillon said.
‘(It’s) a step forward, and building on Mitch’s story we hope that others feel encouraged to be their authentic selves and share their own journeys.
‘And that these stories are met with support from teammates, clubs and the wider football community.’
