Bulldogs AFL legend Bob Murphy reveals his ‘disgust’ at ex-teammate Jason Akermanis’s controversial comments on gay players – and why he refuses to even say his name 13 years later
Bulldogs AFL legend Bob Murphy reveals his ‘disgust’ at ex-teammate Jason Akermanis’s controversial comments about gay players – and why he refuses to even speak his name 13 years later
- Akermanis wrote that gay AFL stars should ‘stay in the closet’
- Was fired by the Western Bulldogs two months later
- Murphy has called for closed players to come forward
Western Bulldogs AFL star Bob Murphy has broken a 13-year silence about former teammate Jason Akermanis and the controversial newspaper column he wrote that led to his resignation from the club.
Akermanis was a talented but polarizing figure in his AFL career with the Brisbane Lions and the Bulldogs, sparking controversy in 2010 when he wrote about homosexuality in sports.
The three-time premiership winner’s column was headlined ‘stay closeted’ and urged gay AFL players to keep quiet lest they bear the ‘burden’ of being the first player in the league who is openly gay.
To this day, no player has come out.
Akermanis was a prodigious talent, but also polarized during a long career with the Bisbane Lions and Bulldogs
Former Western Bulldogs player Bob Murphy (pictured front, right) has spoken out against Akermanis and his column
At the time, Akermanis echoed the column’s comments, telling Channel Nine that he thought gay players would be targeted if they came out.
“There’s a kind of gay hunt going on where we’re trying to get people out,” he told The Nine Network today.
“I’m not sure that’s very safe and healthy for competition. What you do privately is your business.’
Akermanis was fired by the Bulldogs two months after the column was published.
Now, in a Four Corners report on homosexuality in footy, former teammate Murphy has flogged Akermanis for his actions – and still refuses to call him by his name.
“I was disgusted, I was embarrassed and I was hurt,” Murphy said.
“But then the pain took a turn – ‘what if one of my teammates is gay?
“I wanted to notify the author (Akermanis) and say – I think what I said to him was – ‘that disgusting shit you wrote in the paper’.
“For me, at that time in my life, I was like, ‘We’re done.’
Murphy to this day refuses to name Akermanis and denounced his former teammate after 13 years of silence for his newspaper column
Akermanis doesn’t shy away from his position today and doesn’t care who he upsets in the process
Akermanis – now working as a broker in Brisbane – will not retract his stance in 2023 either.
“I got branded everything — homophobic, you name it,” he said.
“Just because I’m writing about it and you don’t agree with it doesn’t mean… that I’m scared of gays, which is just complete nonsense.
“Look, I personally don’t care anyway. As long as you don’t sort of throw it in my face or tell me what I’m not interested in. I’m not going to tell people what I do in my private life.’
‘Why bother. We don’t care, it’s up to you. Why would you want that? Think about it. Is it worth it? They are good questions to ask. You have to weigh it up. It’s a heavy burden.’
Reporter Louise Milligan then asked, “There were people who disagreed with what you said. What about the people who were hurt by what you said?’
Akermanis responded, “I always say to anyone who’s hurt, that’s your problem, that’s your problem.” If you need help, go get it.’
Murphy made an impassioned plea for all current cabinet AFL players to come out, saying they would be supported by the players and the league.
“You will be fought for and supported,” said the former Bulldogs captain.
“If there was a dissenting voice, they told them to shut up or leave.”