Sam Newman has blamed a new generation of political correctness for the demise of Channel Nine’s long-running sports program The Footy Show (AFL).
The 77-year-old ex-Australian Rules player and AFL commentator, who was known for his outspoken comments on ‘woke’ issues, was a regular on the show which was axed in 2018.
One of Newman’s more controversial moments during the show’s long run was appearing in ‘black face’ in 1999, after Indigenous player Nicky Winmar failed to appear for a scheduled interview.
Speak with The advertiser on Saturday, Newman defended The Footy Show, which lasted 25 years after its debut in 1983.
“That didn’t happen (hang around too long),” he said, rejecting the suggestion that it was outdated.
Sam Newman (pictured) has blamed a new generation of political correctness for the demise of Channel Nine’s long-running sports program The Footy Show (AFL).
“But it fell victim to the changing norms imposed on us by the politically correct and people who feel aggrieved by everything that is ever done; that was his downfall.
“There are plenty of programs that do what we do, but they often targeted us because we were irrelevant and controversial.”
Elsewhere in the chat, Newman said that the biggest challenge facing society right now is pushing back on the politically correct thing people continue to do.’
He continued, “Where a small percentage of the population is trying to push an agenda and wants you to toe the line on some imaginary thing that they think you should follow. The biggest fear is having to put up with the nonsense people say about political correctness.’
The 77-year-old ex-Australian Rules player and AFL commentator, who was known for his outspoken comments on ‘woke’ issues, was a regular on the show, which debuted in 1983 until it was axed in 2018.
Speaking to The Advertiser on Saturday, Newman defended The Footy Show and rejected suggestions it would be axed because it was dated. Pictured: Newman caused controversy in 1999 when he appeared on The Footy Show in blackface
In the meantime, Newman also explained that his controversial departure from Channel Nine in 2020 was “amicable.”
The famed sportscaster left the network after making comments on his podcast about George Floyd, an African-American man who was killed in custody.
Although Nine also said the parting was mutual, it follows that Daily Mail Australia reported Newman had called Floyd a ‘piece of shit’.
Newman made the comments on his podcast “You Cannot Be Serious,” along with fellow footballer Don Scott and journalist Mike Sheahan.
Newman also explained that his controversial departure from Channel Nine in 2020 was “amicable.” Pictured: with Eddie McGuire
Newman was no stranger to controversy, as he was regularly called out for offensive behavior and comments throughout his media career.
In 2009, he compared a Malaysian man to a monkey and said he was “not out of the woods for long.”
In 2010 he was criticized for disrespecting indigenous beliefs after admitting hitting a golf ball from the top of Uluru.
“Generally speaking, they don’t nationalize, they colonize, and this has been the problem in Europe… and it’s becoming a huge problem in America,” he said in a tirade against Muslims earlier this year.
Don Scott (left) and Newman (right) currently host the podcast You Cannot Be Serious