Macklemore performing ‘Same Love’ at the NRL Grand Final in 2017 is one of my most treasured rugby league memories. On that night the NRL proudly declared that we are a game for everyone.
The message was clear: everyone is welcome in rugby league.
But on Friday night, when New Zealand Warriors player Marcelo Montoya used a homophobic slur, directed toward Kyle Feldt of the North Queensland Cowboys, it demonstrated that we still have work to do.
So much in the way this incident has been handled has made me sad and uncomfortable.
It took 48 hours for the Warriors to issue a statement with Montoya and CEO Cameron George apologising for the incident.
It’s astonishing to me that it took two days for this apology to be issued and additionally that the NRL was relatively silent on the matter, other than stating that Montoya had been referred straight to the judiciary.
This is not good enough. This should have happened much sooner.
There’s also been a lot of conversation about the appropriate sanction for Montoya. Some have suggested a lengthy stint on the sidelines, others say a fine would suffice.
At the judiciary on Tuesday night, Montoya received four weeks.
But does this punishment really mean anything if the 26-year-old does not learn from his actions?
I understand Montoya will be undertaking an education program and for me, this is the key to ensure he understands the impact of his behaviour.
Part of this may be speaking to members of the LGBTIQA+ community, who can explain to him why using that word is hurtful and derogatory (though it should not necessarily always be the impacted community who has the responsibility of educating others).
In 2015, when former Waratahs player Jacques Potgieter used a homophobic slur, he met with the Sydney Convicts, Australia’s first gay and inclusive rugby union club, to apologise.
Jacques Potgieter. (Photo: Glenn Nicholls)
If the apology is genuine, this is more meaningful than a monetary fine or time on the sidelines.
In the wake of the incident, we have seen fellow players show their support for Montoya, declaring what a ‘good guy’ he is. Josh Curran even messaged a fan on Instagram saying, “it was a heat of a moment thing he has a cousin who it [sic] gay and he supports it why are you making out like his [sic] the bad guy”.
Perhaps, Josh, because in this scenario he is the bad guy. And making excuses for the behaviour shifts responsibility away from Montoya for his actions.
Apart from the slur itself, the radio silence from the club and the response from some of his teammates, I’ve also been disappointed about the reaction of some media outlets.
On NRL360 this week, Steve Roach expressed his “disappointment” that Montoya may receive four weeks.
“We want to be close to the player, hear what the player is saying and then we hear a slur like that and we blow up,” said Roach.
“A lot of times you say things on the field that you don’t actually mean the words that you say.”
Is Roach’s point that anything on the field goes, because a player doesn’t mean it? Additionally, a panel of a couple of white men discussing the issue is a problem in itself. Are these the people impacted by the comment? Where is the nuance in the discussion?
This whole incident also sits uncomfortably because of the club Montoya plays for.
Traditionally, the Warriors feature many players with Pasifika heritage. In recent years we have seen much more attention on our Pasifika players and there have been pushes to show respect by pronouncing their names correctly.
Former player Issac Luke for vocal following the NRL All Stars game and criticised the pronunciation of the word ‘Māori’ during the coverage.
Former Warrior Issac Luke. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
This is such an important move because people should be afforded the respect of others trying to pronounce their names correctly, particularly given the significance of a name in the Pasifika community.
But this respect should be extended to people of all walks of life.
Everyone is welcome in rugby league, no matter their age, sexuality or cultural background.
And our players need to understand that, particularly given the number of women competing in the NRL Women’s competition who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
It’s 2022 and ‘the heat of the moment’ is no longer an excuse. I want to be part of a game where everyone is made to feel welcome and our players understand that the words they say have an impact on the people around them.
Greg
Roar Pro
Fair. I dont think 4 weeks is outrageous or anything, just a week or 2 longer than i would have thought. I more wanted to make the point that this is about the only time the "not his go", "good bloke" argument actually has some merit, and that a poor choice of words does not necessarily make him a bigot.
London Panther
Roar Rookie
I agreed with you 100% until the final comment about 4 weeks being excessive. I think the judiciary got it about right.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
You are a Roosters supporter right? They are the best in the business at it. They have years of practice trying to misdirect discussions about salary cap sombreros. :silly:
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
The ol slight of hand trick. You got me.
Rossi
Roar Rookie
The most advantaged subset of people are the wealthy, money doesn't discriminate
Jason Brown
Guest
If Australia was an LGBTI friendly country, then Scott Morrison would not be prime minister. Thats a fact.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
How so? What is the relevance of your comment to anything I have posted on this discussion and in this thread? Is this an attempt at misdirection perhaps?
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Reading "a panel of a couple of white men discussing the issue is a problem in itself" made me sad and uncomfortable too, sniff, sniff, just like the author. And quite puzzled - I thought I had turned the page to a different subject or something. On Monday a captioned photo of Scott Morrison appeared in the press with a cancelled sign on his face. "He gotta go. Get a blak (sic) PM in, do a better job at running a country than unk." It came from the NRL's widely loved and admired, wordly talisman, delivering a brief sermon on being tolerant and includiness. I understood stuff like this had been declared r-8-chest, but it is the fashion this week, evidently.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
GB, you support the bunnies. Some would argue the dumbness in that.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
How did that get in their?
Red Eric
Roar Rookie
FOur is form for Montoya and a fine for Tedesco. Must be nice to be a high profile player at the Roosters.
Greg
Roar Pro
I for one can very much believe someone that is not a homophobe can use a homophobic slur. I can not speak for others but i know for myself homophobic slurs were commonly used as insults for people, be they gay or not, from a young age. It was not until i started to enter puberty that i became aware of the nature of such slurs. Now as grown man (though not old enough to be called an old white man) I can fully understand the connotations and effect such slurs may have. It is easy to believe that in the heat of battle one may use slurs ingrained in them from a young age. This does not make them homophobic. Nor does it make what he said acceptable. A genuine apology and perhaps reaching out to those in the community in a manner similar to what Potgieter did would be sufficient penance for me. Additionally a suspension is required to show that the NRL does not condone such slurs. But I believe 4 weeks is excessive.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Thanks Mary. I’m just confused by the suspension. I’d rather he was encouraged to make a difference not make an example of.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
"that probably IS their true character" In other words you have absolutely no bl00dy idea. But it suits your argument and fits your agenda to assert something you have no proof or inside knowledge of.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
"but only to describe those annoying gays whose sexuality is their entire personality" I applaud you for that comment Paul D. It is so refreshing to hear a gay man actually acknowledge that. People are so much more than one aspect of their nature or personality. To focus exclusively on one specific aspect is to invite cynicism about their possible underlying motives for doing so.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Wise words Hard Yards.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Well said, Paul D. I suspect the vast majority of people who are outraged and offended by this are virtue signalling heteros3xual males and females. Just as BLM was hijacked by virtue signalling white leftists promoting a s3xual agenda. Perhaps they should listen to people like yourself who actually has the right to take offence or not. There is too much intolerance in the world, especially from those who preach tolerance and equality by trampling the rights of others in order to promote their true agenda.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
Lenin Stalin and mao killed more people in the 20th century than all the wars in history. The left is no longer a blue collar movement. It's been hijacked by, well not by the average worker, their goons come from those institutions that train white collar criminals, the biggest crime in modern history, the same institutions that have taken money from the CCP and allow confucious centers in our education system. Need I go on. Take ya modern left and leave our free country.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Was it the right who brought us Hitler and Mussolini though Nick? Or was it a core group of fascists who used force and violence to consolidate power, eliminate democracy and subjugate the masses.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
"using the most advantaged subset in society" Are you talking about white males specifically mushi? Because asian males are well ahead of that socio-economic curve giggity giggity.