Footy star explains why the AFL is finally ready for its first openly gay player - years after every other major code made the leap
Footy star explains why the AFL is finally ready for its first openly gay player - years after every other major code made the leap
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Footy cult hero Zach Tuohy has declared it won't be long until an AFL player feels comfortable enough to come out publicly as gay. Tuohy, who retired last season after 288 career games with Carlton and then Geelong - is adamant current day stars wouldn't be ostracised.
![[Tuohy, who retired last season after 288 career games with Carlton and then Geelong - is adamant current day stars wouldn't be ostracised]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/06/94623629-14336463-Tuohy_who_retired_last_season_after_288_career_games_with_Carlto-a-91_1738131189231.jpg)
'I can only say that right now in the game or the game that I left....it feels like an extremely safe place for somebody to come out,' Tuohy told camp mates when appearing on I'm a Celebrity....Get Me Out of Here!. 'Certainly at either of the clubs I've played for.....teammates would protect them at all costs and tell them they are proud of them and love them.
![[Adelaide United footballer Josh Cavallo came out in 2021, following the lead of rugby league hard man Ian Roberts in 1995]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/05/94624909-14336463-image-a-91_1738129391049.jpg)
'So it'll come soon enough. And whenever it does come for that player, they [teammates] will have his back.'. Tuohy, an Irish import who won a premiership with the Cats in 2022, added players shouldn't feel their sexuality would derail the focus of the playing group.
Footy cult hero Zach Tuohy (pictured with wife Rebecca) has declared it won't be long until an AFL player feels comfortable enough to come out as gay. Tuohy, who retired last season after 288 career games with Carlton and then Geelong - is adamant current day stars wouldn't be ostracised.
Adelaide United footballer Josh Cavallo came out in 2021, following the lead of rugby league hard man Ian Roberts in 1995. 'It [acceptance] is shifting and changing,' Tuohy said. The AFL remains one of the only professional sporting leagues in the world to have no active or even retired stars to publicly identify as gay or bisexual.
