3 weeks ago
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Kelli Underwood has heartbreakingly lifted the lid on a horrible experience she was subjected to in her workplace that left her ‘hating herself for being gay’.
The highly respected sports broadcaster penned an open letter to Adelaide Crows player Izak Rankine on Thursday after the AFL revealed that it would be handing the 25-year-old a four-game sanction for a homophobic comment he made to a Collingwood player on Saturday.
Rankine breached the AFL’s rules on unbecoming conduct when he called the Magpies player a ‘f****t’ during Adelaide’s three-point victory on Saturday night.
In making the sanction, the AFL said that it took into consideration ‘compelling medical submissions’ to reduce a proposed five-match ban to four games. It means that Rankine now has a chance to play in Adelaide’s finals campaign, if the league leaders can reach the AFL Grand Final.
In a letter published in The Age, Underwood, who is an advocate for LGBTQIA+ communities, first stated that she hoped Rankine ‘was doing OK’.
The sports journalist, who works for Fox Footy and ABC, began to explain to the 25-year-old small forward and others around the league why the use of the term ‘f****t’ has the possibility to be ‘so harmful’.
Rankine was handed a four-match ban for a homophobic comment he made to an unnamed opposition player during Adelaide's three-point win against Collingwood
Underwood revealed a story in which she explained that she had ‘struggled with my sexuality in the workplace’, during the fledgling years of her broadcasting career.
The highly respected broadcaster revealed how she had been offered the opportunity to host and present netball on television. So, to get fully prepared for the season, Underwood went along to a pre-season netball tournament to better acquaint herself with the teams and their respective players.
‘As I entered the stadium, I spotted a small group of high-ranking officials and I made my way over to introduce myself to them,’ she explained in the letter, published in The Age.
‘They welcomed me and I took a seat next to them. There was some small talk. Then, while pointing out some of the big names on the court, one of them blurted out: “And don’t worry, we don’t have any lesbians in our sport. They all play basketball”.’ Everyone laughed. I laughed.’
Deep down, Underwood explained that the moment hurt her.
‘It jarred - like I’d been hit with a bolt of lightning. I was angry. I was confused. I was scared they’d found me out. But most of all I felt shame,’ she said.
‘Over the next few days the self-loathing began to sink in. I hated myself. I hated myself for not saying anything. I hated myself for being gay. Why me? Why couldn’t it be someone else?’
Underwood revealed that she decided to hide her true self because ‘the environment did not feel safe to me.’
Underwood revealed that she felt like she couldn't be herself, following the incident, before encouraging Rankine to learn from this experience
Rankine has spoken of his remorse over the incident, with Adelaide CEO Tim Silvers stating he was worried about the small forward's wellbeing
Turning to Rankine’s comment last week during the Crows’ three-point win against the Magpies, the Fox Footy and ABC presenter then stated that there would be other people out there who felt just like she had, forcing themselves to hide their true personalities after the Adelaide player’s shock slur.
‘The message you send is simple - you don’t belong here. And so begins the mental torture.’
Underwood explained that it took her a long time to establish safe friendships and feel like she could be her true self following the incident.
Rankine is the sixth player in the last 16 months to receive a ban for a homophobic comment. Swans youngster Riak Andrew was the most recent, and copped a five-game ban in July for a similar slur to Rankine’s.
It shows that there is still much to do within the AFL to educate players on the matter and how we can create safe, inclusive environments for all.
Underwood then called on Rankine and senior members of the Crows to usher in a new era of change in the AFL, by holding conversations and ‘welcoming diversity’.
The broadcaster signed off the letter encouraging Rankine to learn from the experience and come back stronger, before adding she and her nephew, who was a Crows fan, would be rooting for him.
Rankine, meanwhile, has broken his silence on the matter, making clear his remorse over the shocking slur.
Underwood added that she hoped the footy player was 'doing OK' before urging he and his team-mates to hold more 'mature' conversations around inclusivity
‘I regret using the word and I am very sorry for doing so, and that type of language has no place in football or the community,’ Rankine said.
‘It was a mistake and I have apologised to the Collingwood player, and what happened does not reflect my values or those of the Club.
‘I’m committed to educating myself and being better.’
The Crows, meanwhile, have condemned the footy star’s comments.
‘Such language is unacceptable and at odds with the values of our organisation, and we are committed to being a Club that fosters a respectful and inclusive environment,’ Adelaide CEO Tim Silvers said.
‘We are obviously frustrated and disappointed; however, player welfare is always a priority and we will provide Izak with the appropriate support and education.’
