Melbourne defender Heritier Lumumba was never quite understood by the football world

AFTER 223 games and nearly as many headlines, Heritier Lumumba has left the AFL as you would expect. His way.

Heritier Lumumba has retired from Melbourne. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

THE footy world never quite understood the man who started as Harry O’Brien and ended as Heritier Lumumba.

In the 12 years between, he was the Collingwood-turned Melbourne defender who stood out in an industry of media-coached robots and cliches.

On the field, the enduring memory will be of him bounding off half-back like a big cat — cheeks puffing and elbows out as he stormed around the MCG’s Southern Stand wing.

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He was the rookie who became a 2010 All-Australian and premiership player whose last quarter goal in that year’s Grand Final replay was among the most raucously celebrated by the long-suffering black and white army.

Off the field, he was complex, yet spiritual. The son of a Brazilian mother and Congolese father, his deep-seated principles and beliefs could make it appear like football was a side project for social issues.

Heritier Lumumba and a Melbourne fan after a game. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

He spoke at a United Nations gathering of delegates in 2010 and was rendered emotional and spellbound when he was given an audience with religious leader the Dalai Lama in 2011.

He then wrote a letter seeking a meeting with US President Barack Obama.

“This is about the voice of the children’s cries I still hear from the HIV-infected orphans I cared for in Africa, the millions of women violently abused throughout Australia, depressed men who see no other option but to end their lives through their own hands, indigenous youth following a chain of dysfunction, forgotten homeless mental health sufferers throughout Australia, and immigrants to Australia who have trouble integrating into Australian culture,” he wrote.

He spoke freely and unscripted, like the time he stunned waiting journalists when returning to Collingwood training after a mid-season break in 2013.

Explaining his absence, Lumumba volunteered a “complicated history” of abuse and depression as well as witnessing a murder in Brazil in 2011.

“I’m going through a history ... of things for a long time, including a long and very complicated history of sexual abuse, suicide, depression, seeing someone get murdered, knowing who murdered that person and not being able to say anything, knowing that person will probably murder you.”

Heritier Lumumba celebrates a goal for Collingwood. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

He rightfully gave his then club president Eddie McGuire a spray after the Collingwood boss suggested Sydney legend Adam Goodes could be used to promote a King Kong musical.

“It doesn’t matter if you are a school teacher, a doctor or even the president of my football club I will not tolerate racism, nor should we as a society,” Lumumba tweeted.

“I’m extremely disappointed with Eddie’s comments and do not care what position he holds, I disagree with what came out his mouth.”

His final straw at Collingwood was the discovery of graffiti on a poster of Scott Pendlebury and Dayne Beams inside the Pies’ training centre that Lumumba felt was a homophobic slur and offensive to gay members of staff.

Lumumba criticised the club for not acting after someone had written “off to the Mardi Gras boys?” under the picture.

After requesting a trade at the end of that season, he got on stage at the Collingwood best and fairest to declare he would have the last laugh.

“Collingwood has allowed me to define my character and also to find the true meaning of my true name ... which means the prince, the one who will have the last laugh, and (who) is gifted,” Lumumba told a packed room of players, officials and supporters.

Nick Maxwell and Heritier Lumumba hold the premiership cup to supporters.

This year, as he battled the concussion that would end his career, Lumumba stunned Demons officials when he took a routine mid-season interview down another bizarre path.

He described his time out of football as “fantastic” and the hardest thing he had to deal with was Muhammad Ali’s death.

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“Every negative circumstance in your life is an opportunity to grow,” he said.

“Whatever the injury may be, my identity is not completely defined by football. I’m still mourning the passing of the great Muhammad Ali. That has probably been the most difficult time in this period.”

After 223 games and nearly as many headlines, Lumumba has gone out as you would expect. His way.