ABC host Tony Armstrong’s raw reaction on live TV to Eddie Betts’ revelation of racist slurs towards his kids: ‘Better man than I am’

ABC host Tony Armstrong gave a raw, emotional response on Friday morning to the shocking racist abuse shouted at AFL legend Eddie Betts’ children as they played basketball in their front garden.

A video posted online by former Carlton and Adelaide player Betts, who is Indigenous, shows a white car approaching his home before someone in the vehicle shouts the N-word four times.

Speaking on ABC News Breakfast, a clearly upset Armstrong, who is also Indigenous, said, “Eddie is a better man than me,” because of how calm his response had been.

“He got in touch and said he wants to talk to that person, what a star.”

As sports stars and politicians expressed their disgust, Armstrong said he was “not shocked that this is happening… I’m more disappointed that people think this isn’t happening, that this came out of the blue.”

“As a black person in this country, you walk out the door and you know that anything can happen based on the color of your skin, based on who you are as an Aboriginal person.

“(But) this is inside the house … over the fence, and we saw the reaction of the kids running in,” Armstrong said.

He said he hoped Betts’ children “won’t have a long-term feeling of PTSD from this, but unfortunately they probably will because this won’t be the only thing they’re exposed to…I’m devastated.” .

Armstrong pointed out that Betts has “reached another level” and that it could have been a very different story had he reacted differently.

‘What if Eddie heard them and chased them down the street, like almost any parent would do if they were there to hear it… He would be the one who would eventually be splashed (in the media as) “Angry Eddie Betts” .’

Betts wrote on Instagram that “Aboriginal children deserve to play safely, free from racism and abuse across the fence.”

‘We’re not even safe in our own home. If you know who this is, please let me know I’m open to a conversation about how much this is hurting our children.”

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon and general manager for inclusion Tanya Hosch said the abuse shouted at Betts’ children has no place in sport or wider society.

“We must express our strongest condemnation against another example of overt racism, this time directed at children playing sports in their own front yards,” the pair said in a statement.

“We recognize Eddie Betts’ leadership for bringing this to national attention. Racism is wrong. Racism is harmful. Racism requires a response.

“The AFL takes this opportunity to remind everyone at all levels of the game that racist behavior is never welcome.”

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan also condemned the incident and offered her support to Betts’ family.

“It is sickening and disgusting that children playing basketball in their own backyard should be subjected to such disgusting racist abuse,” she said.

“(Eddie Betts) has spoken a lot about his own personal experiences with racism and he has been a strong and proud Indigenous man.”

Michelle Ananda-Rajah, a Labor MP who represents Higgins, in Melbourne’s south-east, said she had experienced similar situations.

“As a person of color, I’ve had to deal with this too,” she said. ‘Now I look at the haters.

‘The children belong here, they make our community more vibrant and stronger. They shouldn’t be afraid to be here.’

At his weekly press conference on Friday morning, Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said the attack left him angry and emotional.

“It’s clear that as a club everyone has put something together to express their support, love and concern for the Betts family,” he said.

‘Very simple: it makes my blood boil. Everyone feels the same. I hope everyone does that.’

Betts retired from the AFL in 2021 after playing 350 games with Carlton and Adelaide.

He was repeatedly subjected to racist abuse throughout his career and had a banana thrown at him during a match at Adelaide Oval in 2016.

Announcing his retirement, Betts said he was tired of fighting racism and that the AFL was not a safe environment for Indigenous players.

Now 37, he has spoken publicly many times about the abuse he suffered and has previously implored Australians to help tackle racism.