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Former AFL star Mitch Brown – who played for Geelong, Essendon and the Melbourne Demons between 2009 and 2022 – has clarified he is not the Mitch Brown who created footy history by coming out as bisexual.
Brown, 34, posted an Instagram story on Wednesday after his namesake – who was on the books of West Coast for a decade – revealed his sexual identity publicly for the first time.
Best known for his four-year stint at the Bombers, Brown stressed he 'wanted to make sure the praise and encouragement is going to the right person' before adding that he has 'nothing but praise and admiration' for the Eagles defender, who chalked up 94 career appearances for the Perth side.
It comes as Brown, 36, confirmed he is 'strong and comfortable' about becoming the first AFL player to publicly identify as bisexual, saying it is all about what happens next.
Brown also spoke about the culture of 'hyper-masculinity' in the AFL in his playing days, recalling one West Coast teammate once said he would 'rather be in a cage of lions than shower with a gay man.'
'I played in the AFL for 10 years for the West Coast Eagles and I'm a bisexual man,' Brown told The Daily Aus.
Former AFL star Mitch Brown – who previously played for Geelong, Essendon and the Melbourne Demons between 2009 and 2022 – has clarified that he is not the player who came out as bisexual on Wednesday
Brown, 34, posted an Instagram story after his namesake created AFL history after publicly confirming his sexual identity
The declaration from the former Eagles player comes at a pivotal moment in the game, with the league determined to stamp out homophobia.
A succession of AFL bans for homophobic slurs against opponents culminated last week, with Adelaide star Izak Rankine hit with a four-game suspension following an incident with a Collingwood player.
Two years ago, then league chief executive Gillon McLachlan said the first AFL player to reveal he is gay or bisexual would carry a 'burden'.
'I remember those comments,' Brown said.
'I'm in this position strong and comfortable... I'm in the space to do it, and as Gil (McLachlan) says, carry the burden.
'I don't believe this is about me. It's not about Mitch Brown being the first at all.
'For me, it's about sharing my experience so others can feel seen.'
Brown said he never felt comfortable during his time at West Coast about revealing his sexuality.
Ex-West Coast defender Mitch Brown confirmed he is 'strong and comfortable' about becoming the first AFL player to publicly identify as bisexual
'In the locker room and in the spas, the chats were all geared around 'who did everyone pick up on the weekend'? Or, you know, 'she's pretty hot',' he said.
'I remember two (players) having a conversation around how they would feel having a shower next to a gay man, and one of the players said I'd rather be in a cage full of lions than have a shower next to a gay man.
'There's been so many times in my life that I've seen things or heard things and not said anything, in fear of people thinking that I was gay or bisexual.'
Brown added ultimately, his decision to go public was clear-cut.
'It wasn't so much hours (of contemplation). It was a moment in time for me,' he said.
'I had this feeling of peace, but more importantly, comfort and confidence.
'What matters to me most is a sense of change, a movement created where you can be anyone and feel like you can be anyone and be safe in any environment here in Australia.
'Hopefully this now provides (that) for the second person.'
He added his current and former partner, who are both women, strongly back him and have praised his courage.
Brown played for the Eagles between 2007 and 2016. His history-making comments contrast sharply with the AFLW, where sexuality has never been an issue and players speak openly about their same-sex relationships.
In 2020, former North Melbourne coach and premiership player Danielle Laidley was outed as transgender.
Laidley since has spoken at length about what she has endured.
