NRLW player Karina Brown has detailed her anger at the Manly Sea Eagles pride shirt boycott after seven players refused to wear it.
Brown, who went viral in 2018 after kissing his then-girlfriend Vanessa Foliaki after a State of Origin game, was left “frustrated” by the players’ stance.
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Brown spoke about the scandal on the “On Her Game” podcast when he spoke to host Sam Squiers, revealing he was stunned by the move.
“It triggered me, if I’m honest. I felt angry and frustrated and then I decided to dig a little deeper and find out the whole story… when I dug deeper I realized it wasn’t even a pride shirt that made it worse yet.
“This shirt is for everyone in league…whether you love someone of the same sex or you love Jesus Christ, it says there is a place for you in rugby league.
“Getting mad at a shirt with a few extra colors, in the pipes… I was surprised that it was a stance that some players have taken.
“It’s constantly frustrating.
“Because we are becoming an awakened society.
“And the next generation has a more open mind and an open heart.
“People are realizing that discrimination is so harmful to society and we are trying to do something about it.
“It’s frustrating that it still exists.”
Karina Brown and Vanessa Foliaki. Source: Provided
The photo of Brown and Foliaki kissing after the 2018 State of Origin clash was met with disdain from fans, with one claiming it was a “bad move” by the NRL. The NRL responded to the comment with: “Welcome to 2018… can’t wait for you to join us!”
Brown in the days after the post went viral spoke of his hopes for the sport that one day, an image like the one above would be considered simply normal.
“I think it was good for the world to see it, to show how far we have come as a society. But also to show that we still have a way to go. Not all of the feedback was positive,” he wrote in a column for Players Voice.
“For some people, it’s still a shock. I guess the more we can get it out there, that it’s okay to be who you are, it won’t be a shock anymore. It’ll be normal. It’s normal.
“I look forward to the day when my moment with Vanessa is just a normal post-game photo. And I don’t think we’re far off.”
Foliaki and Brown share a moment. Photos Adam HeadSource: News Corp Australia
The seven players boycotting the Pride jersey took it a step further on Wednesday when it was announced they would not be attending Thursday night’s game against the Sydney Roosters.
Manly officials excused the players from attending after speaking to the players and the club’s security provider.
Former NRL star Jordan Kahu has unloaded on the position of seven Manly players, condemning them for their actions in a move that could have an impact on the next generation.
Kahu’s scathing criticism comes after Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson blasted the boycott.
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