Carlton star Eddie Betts pours heart out on AFL 360 in response to racism scandal involving former teammate Taylor Walker

Eddie Betts has called on Australia to end racism in a powerful and emotional statement on live TV, responding to the Taylor Walker racism scandal.

Indigenous AFL star Eddie Betts has fought back tears while responding to the racism scandal surrounding former teammate Taylor Walker.

An emotional Betts poured his heart out live on AFL 360 on Tuesday evening, declaring he was “sick of fighting” constant racism.

“It just keeps happening, I’m sick of it,” he said.

“We need to start having those conversations … the only way we are going to move together as one is if we start educating ourselves.”

The AFL veteran directly addressed viewers, calling on them to be the “powerful voice” and be the ones to “make change”.

“You hear me speak about it year after year after year and nothing is going to change, so it’s up to you guys to make change,” he said.

“Start those conversations at home, start it with your friends, your family, call out racism when you see it, because there’s no room for racism in Australia.”

Eddie Betts speaks on AFL 360 following the racist comments made by ex-teammate Taylor Walker. Picture: Fox Footy

Betts, who left the Adelaide Crows to rejoin Carlton at the end of the 2019 season, revealed Walker had called him following revelations he had used a racial slur towards North Adelaide player Robbie Young at a SANFL match.

“Taylor has called me, but that is our conversation to have,” Betts said.

He said it was “tough” to watch Walker’s apology video with Young.

“Taylor is on a journey, and I know Taylor, and he will go on this journey 100 per cent and he will educate himself and the people around him.”

Betts said he and his family had been dealing with racism their whole lives – and that he had been subjected to abuse as recently as last week.

“I was on this show last year pouring my heart out, begging, hoping Australia would listen,” he said.

“We as Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people are sick of fighting, because it just keeps happening, happening, happening and happening and I’m tired.

“It’s getting to me, it really is.” But Betts still promised to keep fighting, “no matter what”.

“I will fight for my people and I will fight for the next generation of young Aboriginal kids that come in to play AFL footy to make this a safe space for us to come and enjoy the game that we love,” he said.

“I don’t know how many times though that I’ve got to front up to talk about.

“We need the rest of Australia to stand up, to fight, to stamp it out.”

The Adelaide Crows on Monday released a video of Walker apologising to Young as the pair sat side-by-side.

The former captain expressed his remorse over targeting Young with a racist comment on July 17.

Walker was suspended for six matches, but in the video announced he would take an “extended” break from the club to educate himself and start on his path to redemption.

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