Adam Goodes And Buddy Franklin Have Rallied Around NRL Star Latrell Mitchell After Racist Abuse
"I’m not going to stand back and take it on the chin," said Mitchell.
Indigenous athletes are standing together in the face of racism, with NRL star Latrell Mitchell revealing he received messages of support from AFL legends Adam Goodes and Lance Franklin after he was subjected to racist abuse on social media.
Speaking to reporters at the SCG on Sunday after scoring two tries in the Sydney Roosters’ comprehensive victory over the New Zealand warriors, Mitchell said he would continue to call out racism, as he did last week when he posted a screenshot of an abusive comment in which the commenter said he would “laugh my guts up” if Mitchell broke his neck.
“It’s a coward act hiding behind a phone,” said Mitchell. “I’m going to name and shame who does it. I don’t care. I’m really proud about this and I want everyone to stand up. If you see racism make sure you stop it. You can’t stand for that stuff. I can’t live with it.”
“I know it’s not going to be the last time either. I just want to make sure people understand that I’m not going to stand back and take it on the chin. I really stand up for myself and my family.”
The 22-year-old said he was heartened to receive messages of support from Franklin and Goodes, both of whom have been subjected to racist abuse during their time in the AFL.
“Adam Goodes reached out the other day and that was awesome,” Mitchell said. “I spoke to Buddy [Franklin] too.
“[Goodes] just gave me a message and said ‘I love what you’re doing’ … He said it was pretty much similar to what he went through in his career. I take my hat off to him — getting booed every game is nothing you want to be going through as a footy player.”
“I’m a proud Indigenous man, and my people have been copping it for generations … I just want to say thank you to everyone out there, I really appreciate the support.”
Mitchell previously joined a number of Indigenous players in boycotting the national anthem during the NRL State of Origin match, telling reporters at the time that the song “doesn’t represent my people”.