The players who are debating whether or not to skip an upcoming NRL game because of a pride jersey depicting a rainbow have been advised to pay attention to Macklemore’s lyrics.
A surprising number of players have decided not to play for the Manly Sea Eagles for Thursday’s match against the Sydney Roosters in response to the team’s announcement that they will be wearing a jersey with rainbow stripes.
According to reports, the players’ objections to wearing the jersey stemmed from their religious and cultural perspectives.
Anika Wells, the federal Sport Minister, believes that the athletes involved should pay attention to what pop singer Macklemore has to say about the situation.
She commented on Twitter, “As Minister for Sport I’ve been requested to comment on the Manly Sea Eagles, club jerseys are a matter for clubs but I think Macklemore said it best previously — it’s all the Same Love.” She was responding to a question that had been posed to her about the Manly Sea Eagles.
Her message is a reaction to the song that Macklemore and Ryan Lewis released in 2012, which advocates for marriage equality and offers support for the cause.
Ian Roberts, who was the first openly gay player in the history of rugby league when playing for Manly in 1995, says the rejection to wear the jersey “breaks my heart.”
According to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a friend of Roberts’, sport need to be “more inclusive.”
Wearing a pride jersey shows that you are an inclusive, respectful and progressive team. And you will be promoting the values of the NRL, the things that make rugby league great.
— Casey Conway (@caseyconway_) July 25, 2022