AFL Commentator Uses Homophobic Slur, Issues Hella Weak Apology

AFL commentator Brian Taylor has spent the last 12 or so hours copping some richly-deserved backlash after he called Geelong player Harry Taylor a “p****er” on Channel 7’s Saturday Night Footy.

It started with Harry Taylor being chaired off the ground after playing his 150th game for Geelong and giving the crowd what Brian Taylor deemed a “royal wave”. Apparently, this wasn’t good enough for Brian, who summed up his feelings on a fellow human’s gesture of appreciation to the crowd thus: “I’ve just seen that crap from Harry – he’s a big p****er… You can’t be doing the old royal wave. Next thing you’ll have your mum and dad out there.”
Cool, Brian! Naturally, the internet responded swiftly with a round of “you fucking serious, bro?”

And because garbage old men are garbage old men, Brian Taylor’s now issued an apology that shows how deeply he misunderstands what he’s done:
“In the pre-game show I said something that I regret, and I sincerely apologise in regard to Harry Taylor and anyone – and particularly Harry and any of his friends – that were offended by my remark. I apologise for that and I sincerely regret any harm that I have caused.”
Oof. Can someone let Brian know that the possibility that Harry Taylor and his friends were offended is actually a less important issue than perpetuating a culture of homophobia in football? And that basing your whole “apology” on the premise that gay = insult is actually making it worse? And also that saying you apologise “in regard” to people who were “offended by your remark” isn’t actually an apology? Jesus.
Brian Taylor will apparently “receive education”, according to Channel 7’s Game Day show. Seems like a good idea!
Image via Quinn Rooney for Getty Images Sport

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