Betts says racial abuse hurled at his kids will ‘stick for the rest of their lives’

“We’ve got to keep calling it out. It is, you know, it is exhausting.

“I will still stand here in front of everybody and put my face to it … and call it out, educate and continue to educate because we need to stamp out racism in Australia altogether … because it does hurt,” he said.

Loading

“This will stick with them [my children] for the rest of their lives and the rest of my life.”

Betts said Thursday’s incident was particularly concerning because it happened at his house. “The only place that I would ever want my kids to feel safe is at home, and they can’t even feel safe at home,” he said.

Betts, a legend of Australian football who played 350 matches, has spoken more openly about the blight of racism since his AFL retirement in 2021.

He revealed he was racially abused his entire career but feared speaking up for years because he was worried he would suffer the same fate as Sydney great Adam Goodes.

Dual Brownlow medallist Goodes called out a young Collingwood fan in the stands who racially vilified him during a game in 2013. Crowned Australian of the Year in 2014, he was subsequently subjected to a booing campaign by rival fans, which became relentless in 2015 and hastened his retirement.

Betts played at Carlton from 2005-13, joined Adelaide for an extended period from 2014-19 and returned to the Blues for two final seasons. Goalsneak Betts revealed two years ago that he found his voice about the issue in his late 20s. At the Crows, he said, his experience was harder. “I had a big smile on my face but I was drowning inside.”

On Saturday Betts again stressed that education was vital.

“It has been a tough week but I just want to thank the community, the footy community for their support … it means so much to hear your support,” he said.

“As a family we’ll continue to stick together. Like I said we’ll continue to stand here before everybody and continue to educate. That’s the only way we’re going to move forward – with education.

“To everyone at home, if you’re watching this, please have conversations with your kids, your families, your friends, have those uncomfortable conversations … because that’s the only way we’re going to move forward as a nation.”

Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.