Brisbane premiership player Chris Johnson backs Chad Wingard’s media ban in wake of US protests coverage

Triple Brisbane premiership player Chris Johnson has praised Chad Wingard for his “courage and leadership” in imposing a media ban on himself and publicly call out racism in Australia.

Triple premiership hero Chris Johnson has applauded the bravery of Hawthorn star Chad Wingard to publicly call out racism in Australia.

And Johnson, who has just stepped down as the AFL’s Head of Indigeous Programs, says AFL clubs need to find more roles for indigenous people apart from coaching and playing.

St Kilda jet Bradley Hill today backed Wingard’s decision to impose a media ban, saying the anger that has exploded in American cities has hit close to home.

Wingard shone a light on the treatment of indigenous people in Australia, saying he would raise those issues on his own platforms.

Since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody in 1991, more than 420 Aboriginal people have died in police custody, according to data from Amnesty International. Listen to this part. Not. 1. Conviction. Let’s fix our backyard and voice it.

— chad wingard (@chadwingard20) June 2, 2020

Brisbane champion Johnson said Wingard’s stance was even more brave given he knew there would be blowback from some sections of the media and public.

“I think it’s fantastic to see a young indigenous leader stand up and get the attention of people within Australia. It doesn’t just happen overseas, it’s also in our backyard,” he told the Herald Sun.

“It’s great he’s speaking out and it shows enormous courage and leadership. It’s not just for himself, it’s for his footy club and family and mob from back home.

“It comes with a lot of criticism and spotlight on you. Not only do you have to consistently educate people around what your own people go through, now you have to do that and perform on the big stage. I take my hat off to him, how fantastic that in this day and age an indigenous player can put those issues into politics and be able to perform at the same time.”

Brisbane Lions champion and indigenous leader Chris Johnson.

Get your footy fix on KAYO ahead of live matches returning soon. Watch classic battles from the 60s to today, docos, news and more. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

As Wingard expressed his anger at what has occurred across the United States in the wake of the death of African American George Floyd, St Kilda recruit said he respected Wingard’s move, and admitted that the situation had been difficult to watch unfold.

“At the end of the day, you have your own decision, and if that’s what Chad wants to do, I respect his decision and I can’t do nothing about it. That’s the way he feels and that’s his own opinion,” Hill said.

“It is pretty bad what’s going on over there. It is a different part of the world and there is a lot of stuff going on and it does affect people. It’s pretty bad what’s going on.

“It’s not blacks versus whites, it’s everyone else versus racism.

“It’s something that’s getting better over here, but there’s still stuff that does go on, and hopefully it can get better.”

Bradley Hill says it’s hard to watch footage of race riots in the US.

Hill, a proud Noongar man who was traded to St Kilda at the end of last season, said that the onslaught of social media had been tough to handle.

“Some of the stuff you do watch, it does hit you at the heart sometimes and it’s not the greatest thing you want to see,” he said.

“There’s so much media and cameras and phones and you see this stuff. It is pretty sad.”

Johnson was part of the AFL’s shutdown of its administration so has taken 12 months of leave and is now working on a treaty for the First People’s Assembly of Victoria.

He says the AFL needs more indigenous representation within its own organisation as well as more diverse roles for indigenous people in clubs.

“Just because we have playing or coaching histories, we have a lot more to offer, whether it’s around recruiting or list management or marketing. There are many indigenous people out there with expertise and the easiest thing is to look towards coaching and playing.

“They are the challenges for clubs to look at how else they can introduce and bring indigenous people in their bubble.”

Respect, love and understanding! pic.twitter.com/V2Ei2fZhHY

— chad wingard (@chadwingard20) June 1, 2020

Wingard has made a series of posts on Instagram and Twitter expressing his frustration at coverage of the events unfolding in the US and shining a light on racial inequality in Australia.

Wingard is a proud Indigenous Australian, with his father Trevor part of the Kaurna people who hail from the Adelaide Plains in South Australia.

“This happens here as well,” Wingard posted, along with a video of the death of Aboriginal man David Dungay Jr while in police custody in New South Wales in 2015.

“People saying that racism barely happens here. Why the hell are we even allowing any room for racism? I don’t care how much or how little, racism does not belong on this earth.

“When people are saying racism in Australia is nothing compared to America, ask any Aboriginal person growing up. Just because you didn’t see it or it doesn’t affect you doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Our children deserve better and I’m always going to fight for them.

“Stand together and don’t be silent.”

Chad Wingard has placed a media ban on himself. Picture: Michael Klein

Wingard went on to post photos of peaceful protests in the United States, writing “What Australian mainstream media forget to show, only show you the negative riots”.

The 26-year-old then tweeted: “I don’t trust our media anymore! Until things change I won’t be doing any interviews I’m not contracted to do!”

I dont trust our media anymore! Until things change i wont be doing any interviews im not contracted to do! Ill be sharing my own thoughts and content!

— chad wingard (@chadwingard20) June 1, 2020

It is understood the self-imposed “media ban” will only be temporary and has come about because of the emotional toll recent events have taken on Wingard.

Hawthorn is believed to be understanding of the move.

Wingard joined the Hawks from Port Adelaide at the end of 2018 and has played 15 games for the club since, including in Round 1 this year.

Hawthorn faces Geelong in Round 2 of the AFL season on Friday, June 12.

MORE NEWS:

Players demand AFL opens up its financial records before agreeing to further pay changes

AFL could delay making a decision on timeslot for Grand Final for two months

Carlton to display a member’s name on the back of its jumper for three matches this season

Originally published as Brisbane premiership player Chris Johnson backs Chad Wingard’s media ban in wake of US protests coverage