Sydney-based NFL player Adam Doueihi has sparked controversy with his response to an English Premier League social media post on LGBTQ+ inclusion.
The 25-year-old athlete faced criticism after writing “embarrassing post” in the comments section of a post aimed at educating fans on positive ways to discuss LGBTQ+ issues in sports.
The now-deleted remark by the Wests Tigers player was in reaction to a list of suggested phrases for promoting constructive conversations about LGBTQ+ inclusion, part of the Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign. This initiative encourages players to wear rainbow-coloured laces to show support for LGBTQ+ individuals in sports.
Doueihi’s comment, before being removed, garnered over 9,000 likes, leading his team, Wests Tigers, to request an explanation.
The Australian Associated Press reported that Doueihi clarified his comment was not intended to offend the LGBTQ+ community but rather his view that dictating how to discuss LGBTQ+ issues was “embarrassing”.
The NFL player emphasised his belief that the Premier League’s approach to instructing conversation around LGBTQ+ topics was inappropriate, leading him to delete the comment upon realising its potential homophobic interpretation.
A representative from Wests Tigers reaffirmed the team’s commitment to inclusivity, emphasising that the club is a safe space for fans and players of all backgrounds.
This incident isn’t Doueihi’s first involvement in LGBTQ+ related discussions. In October, he publicly supported a Catholic girls’ school’s policy prohibiting students from bringing same-sex partners to their year 12 formal. Doueihi, a devout Catholic, expressed his views on Sydney radio station 2GB, stating his frustration with what he perceives as widespread mockery of Catholic beliefs in society.
He further commented on the situation at St Ursula’s College in Sydney’s Kingsgrove suburb, advocating for the right of Catholic institutions to adhere to their teachings without facing backlash. Doueihi’s stance reflects a broader debate on the balance between religious beliefs and the rights and inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals in various societal spheres.
