Cowboy Kyle Feldt’s wife Deanna takes stand against toxic fan abuse

A full investigation is taking place after the wife of Cowboys grand final hero Kyle Feldt revealed messages urging her husband to kill himself.

The Cowboys have pledged to ban the social media troll who sent vile messages to grand final hero Kyle Feldt after Saturday’s loss.

Coming out strong against the disgusting comments urging Feldt to kill himself, if the troll is member of the club, their membership will be immediately revoked.

North Queensland chief executive Jeff Reibel said the club has a zero tolerance policy to any kind of abuse of its players.

“The online abuse aimed at Kyle Feldt following last night’s game was vile and abhorrent,” Reibel said.

“Our club will be conducting an investigation to ascertain whether the person is a Cowboys member and if so, their membership will be cancelled.”

Kyle Feldt of the Cowboys. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Deanna Feldt, wife of Kyle Feldt, condemned toxic elements of the sporting fandom after receiving the social media messages.

She said she was not usually one to comment on fan feedback but the latest barrage of personal abuse had made her take a stand against online trolls.

Feldt’s opposite scored two tries in Round 3’s 26-12 upset defeat to the Warriors, embroiling the 31-year-old winger as a lightning rod for criticism among a frustrated fanbase and others who have taken that frustration to a sickening extent.

Feldt wrote that her business page had received comments suggesting how her husband should end his life.

“I have had enough on behalf of every player and staff member, on behalf of every team, from every league of sport, from every loved one who is subjected to hurtful words and actions for their performance on the field.

“These are real people who have real feelings. They make mistakes, they are human. They are out there trying their best.

“Do you think any of them want to make an error to then be criticised on every media platform and have it replayed and commented on a million times.

“They hold themselves accountable, the coaching staff hold them accountable, the team hold each other accountable.”

“It’s a game with two teams. Someone has to lose and someone has to win. And while I would absolutely love to see our boys win week in week out - it is what it is.

“They play the game to win, their goal is to reach the GF and win it. They are bloody trying, let’s build them up not put them down. I’ve had enough.”

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo agreed that abuse of this nature was abhorrent.

“I commend any player or those close to them who speak out against the faceless cowards who abuse people on social media,” Abdo said.

“Our Integrity team currently assist players who report comments of this nature. Our assistance involves liaison with police and the eSafety Commissioner and our own work to help identify people breaking the law.”

Abdo said it was the code’s aim to eradicate all abuse of this nature – online, verbal or physical.

“There is more work we need to do to address a societal challenge that impacts all of us, especially young people, referees and players,” he said.

Originally published as Cowboy Kyle Feldt’s wife Deanna takes stand against toxic fan abuse