Eddie Betts says vile racist abuse aimed at his children ‘hits harder’ than anything he experienced in his AFL career – as he vows to continue calling out racism in Australia
AFL great Eddie Betts has said the racist abuse directed at his children as they played in the backyard of his home will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Betts told a panel on the Fox Footy channel on Saturday that the racist abuse his children had experienced was worse than anything he had experienced during his AFL career, adding that his children were now too scared to play in the backyard to play.
The father-of-two previously shared CCTV footage of racist comments being shouted from a white car passing his property as his children played basketball at his Glen Iris home in Melbourne’s south-east about 8.40pm on Thursday.
“It was a rough start to the weekend, crappy start with what happened at my house,” a visibly emotional Betts told the panel.
‘To see someone actually get out of their car at 8:40 at night, drive to my house and shout insults at my children over the fence – I think this hits a lot harder than all the racist abuse I’ve had lately experienced my years.
“And that’s because it’s directed at my children with so much hatred.
Eddie Betts has used his appearance on a television panel to address the racist abuse shouted at his children as they played in their backyard
‘The children are doing well now. They were a little shocked. They are too afraid to go play basketball at night. It was really heavy and hard to see.”
Betts said he believed it was the right decision to share the ugly incident.
“I’m glad I brought this to your attention because if I hadn’t, you wouldn’t have known what happened,” he said.
“This is still happening to Aboriginal people across the country.”
Betts said he would continue to call out racism and urged Australians to continue having “uncomfortable conversations” about racism.
‘We just have to keep shouting it. It’s exhausting and I’ve said this many times,” he continued.
“I will still stand here in front of everyone and turn my face towards it and stand out and call it out, educate it and educate it, because we have to eradicate racism here in Australia all together because it hurts.”
Betts, who played 350 games with Carlton and Adelaide, said he had a message for the person who shouted the gross abuse.
“I want the people who did this and drove by my house and yelled profanities at my children to know that it hurts,” he said.
Victoria Police said they were investigating the incident which took place at Betts’ home in Melbourne’s south-east on Thursday evening
“This will stay with them for the rest of their lives and the rest of my life.
“The only place I would ever want my children to feel safe is at home, and they can’t even feel safe at home.”
Betts said despite the tough week he wanted to thank the footy community “for their support and showing their love”.
“We have received your messages and it means so much to hear your support,” he said.
“It helps us so much. As a family we will stick together and I will continue to stand here in front of everyone and continue teaching. That’s the only way we can move forward.
Betts, who played 350 AFL games for Carlton and Adelaide, said the incident caused him more pain than the racist abuse he endured on the field.
“To everyone at home: If you’re watching this – please have those uncomfortable conversations with your kids, your family, your friends – because that’s the only way we’re going to move forward in this country.”
Victoria Police confirmed on Friday evening that they were investigating the matter.
“It is alleged that a vehicle drove past the property just after 8.30pm and shouted through the windows before driving away,” police said in a statement.
“The matter is currently under investigation.”
The AFL, its clubs and players and even Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan have condemned the shameful incident and pledged their support to the Betts family.