‘He’s changed’: How Israel Folau’s other life killed a sports star
Israel Folau has always been devoted to his family and faith but his recent actions show just how much the NRL-turned-AFL-turned-rugby star has changed since setting up his Truth of Jesus Christ church. Jessica Halloran looks at Folau’s other life.
The Waratahs’ giant South African lock, Le Roux Roets, paid a visit to Israel Folau’s family home at Kenthurst last weekend.
It wasn’t to talk tactics or discuss upcoming opponents. Roets was there to be baptised in the chlorinated backyard pool.
Folau and his father Eni have set up The Truth of Jesus Christ, with the congregation often gathering on the family’s back porch to watch new members being immersed in the water.
This is life for Folau now, with his football career taking an increasingly back seat to a devotion to his religion that has turned fundamentalist — taking the strict, literal interpretation of scriptures.
He delivers the “youth sermons” often as this church. He is #TeamJesus. But his views about homosexuality look likely to cost him the career that has made him a household name and millions of dollars.
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Folau’s Instagram post, which could trigger the end of his incredible football career, stated that “hell awaits” drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters.
What has transpired since Folau uploaded the Instagram post shows a clear insight to where the footballer is at — which is firmly on his “Lord Jesus Christ’s” side.
“Israel has changed, people change, this is bigger than sport now,” said a source who knows Folau well.
Over the past few days, as controversy has raged around Folau, he defiantly said he has “no regrets”.
Folau didn’t return ARU chief Raelene Castle’s calls on Wednesday night when he first posted his hellish themed message. He didn’t return them on Thursday either.
His attitude also showed when the ARU sent welfare people over to his house to talk to him and although inside — Folau didn’t open the door.
By Friday, Castle had managed to secure a meeting with Folau. It was brief.
It is understood Folau did not back down from his views and did not apologise.
A source said Castle’s leadership has been clear, swift, strong and balanced in contrast to the last Folau incident a year ago when he stated that homosexuals would go to “HELL”.
The ARU CEO has been in constant contact with Folau’s manager Isaac Moses from the moment she became aware of the post on Wednesday night, even though the Wallaby didn’t bother to return her calls.
The ARU’s joint statement with the NSWRU was strong and drilled home that Folau had “failed to understand that the expectation of him as a Rugby Australia and NSW Waratahs employee” and that can’t share “material on social media that condemns, vilifies or discriminates against people on the basis of their sexuality”.
The ARU has said their intention is to “terminate” his contract and it could be an abrupt end to a stunning career which has seen him play professional football across three codes, representing the Kangaroos and the Wallabies as well as a dalliance with the AFL’s GWS Giants. Folau continues to defiantly fight for his $4 million plus football career.
A year ago, after Folau’s first “gays” will go to hell incident, there were also around half a dozen NRL clubs circling Folau’s management ready to sign him, regardless of his views, if the ARU were to severe ties.
It wasn’t the same this time. On Thursday ARL Commission Peter Beattie made it firmly clear that Folau wouldn’t be welcome in rugby league. “Israel Folau fails the NRL’s inclusiveness culture, which is a policy strongly supported by the ARLC,” Beattie said in a statement.
This is the way it is these days. Folau wouldn’t be welcome in any other football code he has played because of his views.
Prominent gay athletes have spoken about the harm caused and pain inflicted when high profile celebrities espouse extreme views like this. “It’s this kind of ignorance that contributes to the disproportionately high rates of depression, anxiety and suicide among young LGBTI people,” wrote the openly gay Australian Rules footballer Jason Ball. “Words matter. They have the power to lift us up, but they also have the power to cause enormous damage.”
It’s the truth, it ostracises already marginalised young people.
The events of this week and past few months have demonstrated that amazing footballers can no longer get by on just talent. Their flaws, bad behaviour, are no longer ignored or tolerated. “Hate speech” doesn’t wash and there are consequences for it. Aggravated sexual assault and domestic violence charges are no longer overlooked to let players play; the NRL’s progressive new behavioural policy shows the sporting landscape is evolving. Finally.
There is a new standard expected of our sports stars and sporting leaders.
On a purely business level, in an age of billion-dollar TV rights deals, sponsors pouring in millions of dollars into codes, employers are expecting their employees to behave sensibly, with decency and inclusiveness.
It shouldn’t be that hard? Should it?
Because, in instances like Folau’s, there are vulnerable, young lives at risk.
From the start Folau’s devotion has always been to his family and religion. Over 10 years ago I interviewed a 19-year-old Folau on Coogee beach. He was on the cusp of moving back to Brisbane (from the Storm) to be close to his dad, mum Amelia and five siblings — four brothers and a sister.
He signed a reported $1.6 million contract over four years and, as always, he gave his parents nearly all of his wage. “I’m not really fazed by how much money I get,” Folau said back then.
As for religion, the Folaus were devout Mormons before switching to Assemblies of God in 2011.
Eleven years on from that interview, married now to netballer Maria, his devotion is still to their family and they are all devoted to their The Truth of Jesus Christ Church in Kenthurst.
Fellow Waratah and brother John Folau is also involved and features in the Facebook livestreams.
If we all had been watching the hours of the footballer’s righteous sermons on the church’s Facebook page, the numerous backyard baptisms, perhaps we wouldn’t have been so stunned by what Folau did next.
In the end, what codes like the ARU and NRL are saying is far more enlightening and inspiring than what Folau is posting on Instagram.
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