NRL superstar Latrell Mitchell has warned young footy players could be driven to suicide by racist online abuse when he revealed some of the disgusting threats he has received from trolls.
Mitchell and South’s teammate Cody Walker are tired of racist bullying online and are demanding that the laws be changed so that social media platforms can crack down on the hateful content.
“Suicide happens every day because of online bullying,” Mitchell shared News Corp.
“People see it, the government sees it, these social media platforms see it, but they don’t want to change anything.
NRL star Latrell Mitchell has warned young footy players could be driven to suicide by racist abuse online when he revealed some of the disgusting threats he has received from trolls
Fed up with racist bullying online, Mitchell and teammate Cody Walker are demanding that the laws be changed so social media platforms can crack down on the hateful content
“So the shoe has to be on the other side and they have to realize, what if it happens to their families, the people who run the social media platforms, what if it happens to people in political roles, or their families make through it, then what? Are you going to change because you are affected by it?
“Why can’t we do it now, and make this change now before anything happens.”
Mitchell, who was reportedly called a ‘black dog’ by a ‘fan’ at Penrith’s Bluebet Stadium last month, is deeply concerned about the growing attacks on players and fears for the next generation.
“I think a lot of people, especially from our background, from an Indigenous background, are going to hide from the fact that they’re Aboriginal,” Mitchell said.
‘[The abuse will start] pushing them away from their heritage, denial, making people doubt. And we don’t want that, that’s why we’re so strong, because of the people who came before us, our family, our bloodlines run deeper than anything.
“If social media doesn’t account and close that gap, so to speak, I think there’s going to be a lot of doubt and denial if you’re an Aboriginal man or Aboriginal woman.”
Mitchell has often been the subject of vicious personal attacks throughout his career due to his Indigenous heritage.
In April 2021, two men were charged with sending Mitchell racist messages on social media.
Mitchell, who was reportedly called a ‘black dog’ by a ‘fan’ at Bluebet Stadium last month, is deeply concerned about increasing attacks on players and fears for the next generation
Mitchell has often been the subject of vicious personal attacks throughout his career due to his Indigenous heritage. In April 2021, two men were charged with sending Mitchell racist messages on social media
“I’ve definitely received death threats, people want to pour gasoline on me,” he admitted.
“It always has to be that connection to petrol, because you’re an Aboriginal man, all these stereotypes and breakdowns that people have in their heads, it doesn’t make any sense at all.
“If people continue to be racist or offensive, I will continue to fight it.
“I have people behind me.
“For me, people are starting to think before they act, mostly because they know I’m not going to back down and let it go, I’ll be sure to screenshot it.
“The police will certainly be involved, I have contacts with the integrity unit there, there are options to counter this and if people want to say things, I will keep calling.”