NRL 2022 Manly Pride Jersey: Josh Aloiai takes shot at Corey Parker

Josh Aloiai had a lead role in seven Manly players refusing to play in the ‘Pride Jersey’ and the Samoan firebrand did not take kindly to suggestions he was a religious hypocrite.

Manly star Josh Aloiai has revealed he and his family received death threats for his stance on the Manly Pride jersey. Picture: Getty Images.

Sea Eagles prop Josh Aloiai has spoken for the first time about his key role in Manly’s pride jumper fiasco, claiming he received death threats before stressing a refusal to wear a similar jersey again next season.

Aloiai was the leader of Manly’s rebels in what became the biggest and most controversial story of the 2022 season.

In an explosive interview, Aloiai also called Fox Sports commentator and former Test forward Corey Parker an “idiot.”

Unrepentant and defiant, Aloiai told Nine News: “(We received) death threats, my family got threats, I got threats about my son.

“You should never be put in a situation where your religious views or cultural views and beliefs conflict with your job.

Manly star Josh Aloiai has revealed he and his family received death threats for his stance on the Manly Pride jersey. Picture: Getty Images.

“Our atheist boys, for Easter round, we wanted to wear a Christian jersey and they weren’t comfortable in doing that. It’s all the same – I will support them.”

Asked whether his stance was disrespectful to homosexuals, Aloiai said: “We still have nothing but respect for people that choose to live that way of life.

“We personally don’t want to live that way or endorse it but, at the same time, we quietly took our stance and didn’t say anything hateful or hurtful.

“Instead we were the ones that were called everything under the sun.”

Aloiai claims some players wanted to wear a Christian jersey for Easter, but Manly’s atheist players refused. Picture: Getty Images.

A devout Christian, Aloiai’s older sister is gay – but he claims she accepted his stance.

“Me and her (have a tight relationship) and she knows that I love her to bits,” he said.

“Throughout all this happening, we did have a chat and she totally understood where I was coming from.

“She rang me up and was like: ‘How are you going? You all right? It’s so crazy the way the media has blown this out of proportion’.

“Corey Parker, he came and said we shouldn’t pick and choose. He hammered us in the media, (saying) we run out with our gambling sponsored jerseys and betting-sponsored stadium.

“I would love for him to show me in the Bible where it mentions gambling. It doesn’t, nor does it forbid alcohol within itself.

“He’s an idiot.

“I jumped off social media for a little while just to have a little detox.”

Aloiai has slammed Fox League commentator Corey Parker, for his criticism of the players during the Pride jersey saga. Picture: Getty Images.

Manly chairman Scott Penn has revealed plans for his team to wear a similar rainbow jersey again next season.

Asked if he would wear a pride jumper next season Aloiai said: “The short answer is no, I won’t.

“We didn’t compromise this year and we won’t compromise next year or the year after. A difference of opinion is not a difference of respect.”

Aloiai sustained a leg injury last week representing Samoa at the World Cup.

Originally published as NRL 2022 Manly Pride Jersey: Josh Aloiai takes shot at Corey Parker