All people in life are equal. Seven Manly players deciding not to wear an “inclusiveness” jersey that contains a rainbow trim smacks of double standards.
Rugby league has been in the news for the wrong reason this week after those players pulled out of Thursday’s NRL game against Sydney Roosters on religious and cultural beliefs. It’s completely inconsistent, though. Religion can be against alcohol and gambling. But they wear shirts with those sorts of sponsors and yet not one which represents all walks of society?
It is cr*p. But I am surprised the players decided to go all the way to the hilt and not play in the game nor wear the shirt. I just think it’s ludicrous actually. It's beyond belief.
It’s one of those stories you read and you say ‘is that serious - are they really actually doing that?’ And it’s just disappointing. The most disappointing thing is those double standards around it.
If I was one of their team-mates, I’d be hugely disappointed in them as well. We live in a really diverse , multi-cultural society and one of the best things you can do in life is try and be understanding of everybody. That’s the way that society gets on and everyone is different. The one thing we all have in common is that we’re all different.
Keegan (Hirst) was incredibly brave when, while playing for Batley in 2015, he came out as gay. And it’s a shame we have to say he’s incredibly brave for doing it. He should just be able to, right?
But what’s happened this week in Australia will, for sure, set things back in rugby league. If there is a player out there who is gay who wants to come out this will make them think more than twice about doing that. I hope it doesn’t.
BETFRED - PASSIONATE ABOUT SUPER LEAGUE
