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0 Former NRL star Dean Widders has explained why he attended the Spencer Leniu judiciary hearing, admitting it gave him “flashbacks” to his own issues with racism.
The 44-year-old, who now works as a wellbeing and education manager with the league, was vilified by Bryan Fletcher in 2005 during a clash between the Eels and Rabbitohs.
Fletcher was stripped of the South Sydney captaincy at the time and fined $10,000 by the club, after it was revealed he called Widders a ‘black c–t’ during the match.
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Fast-forward to Monday night and it was emerging superstar Ezra Mam who had been the victim of racial abuse on the field, leading to an eight-game ban for Leniu after he called the Broncos playmaker a ‘monkey’ during their round one fixture.
Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, Widders opened up and reflected on his past experiences and how hearing Mam’s case opened up old wounds.
“Words can come right through to your soul,” he said.
“As blackfellas, we look at the game as a way to prove ourselves … when you get called that on a field, it takes everything away from you. Your gut turns and you feel like shit.
“Watching replays of Ezra on Monday night, I was getting flashbacks of myself, and knowing how that moment just strikes you and you have that disbelief.”
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Widders has been seen as a mentor and leader for Indigenous and Torres Strait Islanders in the sport, with his official role at the NRL only furthering his impact.
The talented utility had a stellar career on the field, playing over 200 games across the NRL and Super League before transitioning into coaching, and believes it was important to be present for Leniu’s hearing in order to inform players who have any questions.
“It can really drain you and take its toll,” Widders said. “You only have to read a couple of comments on any social media post about this issue, and it’s horrific.
“Spencer is not a racist guy. I think it’s the systemic racism that exists in this country that allows these slips in NRL games.
“This stuff will happen again. In the next 12 to 18 months, we’ll have another episode. It could be on the field, it could be anything. Sadly we have to keep working on it.
“We’re not where we need to be as a country.”
Widders also praised the voice of Latrell Mitchell and urged the Rabbitohs superstar to continue to ‘stand up’ instead of opting to ‘suffer in silence’ as issues arise.
