Wendell Sailor hits out at racism in sport after Taylor Walker controversy

A fed up Wendell Sailor has unloaded on racism in sport, with the recent Taylor Walker incident sparking the cross-code star’s impassioned message.

Wendell Sailor delivered the message on The Deadset Legends show. Picture: Tim Hunter.

A fed up Wendell Sailor has called out ongoing racism in sport.

The rugby league great said he was compelled to speak up after Adelaide AFL star Taylor Walker issued an apology to North Adelaide SANFL player Robbie Young following a racial slur at a local match.

“There is too much hatred in the world. We are going through so much at the moment,” Sailor said on Triple Ms Deadset Legends radio show.

“To be honest, I am in a pretty good place but this just gets me so angry because we are having this conversation time after time.”

Sailor, 47, is a retired former rugby league and union dual code international.

He said racism was something he has dealt with since childhood growing up in Brisbane.

“I reckon it still hurts now because you still remember from back in those days and then we are here in 2021 and it is still happening,” the father of three said.

Wendell Sailor delivered the message on The Deadset Legends show. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“It is happening in the (English) Premier League, it is happening in the NBA, it is happening in life in society, it has happened to my kids. I reckon it is harder when it hits your kids because we want to make change. I don’t think I am a weak man but I know that words can hurt you. And when your family gets hurt, it just tears you apart.”

Sailor called out Adam Goodes and Latrell Mitchell for being “the two bravest athletes I’ve seen for a long time” for standing up to racism.

“We have got to be better,” he said. “We are not better and it is not just about that situation.

People don’t want to change. I think about the next generation of kids.”