Why disgraced AFL reporter Tom Morris has been slammed for finally coming clean about ‘disgusting’ homophobic and racist slurs that cost him his job – and whether the Bulldogs LEAKED the information
- Tom Morris will return to AFL media via SEN radio
- Sacked in 2022 after vile comments at former colleague
- Morris publicly outed presenter Megan Bernard
Tainted AFL reporter Tom Morris has admitted he deserved to be sacked last year following his ‘disgusting’ homophobic slurs aimed at former Fox Sports colleague Megan Barnard.
Morris also hosed down speculation the Western Bulldogs leaked a series of WhatsApp chats which resulted in Fox Footy showing him the door last March – but he’s been slammed for making his statement on International Women’s Day.
‘It’s not something I’ll be able to live down,’ Morris told the Don’t Shoot the Messenger podcast on Wednesday.
‘I’m deeply ashamed of what happened. I can’t be clear enough. I deserved to be sacked.’
Morris confirmed the Bulldogs were not responsible for his private WhatsApp chats becoming public.
Disgraced AFL reporter Tom Morris will be given the chance to revive his media career with SEN Radio after he was sacked last March by Fox Sports
Popular Fox Sports presenter Megan Barnard (pictured) was outed by her former colleague Morris
They were leaked online the day after Morris was on the receiving end of a savage personal attack from Western Bulldogs AFL coach Luke Beveridge in a post-game round one press conference.
Morris still doesn’t know who leaked the chats, in which he crudely declared Barnard’s sexuality.
He confirmed he later reached out to his former work colleague to apologise, but was met with silence.
An equally disturbing video then emerged of Morris racially targeting a wide range of people.
‘To the lads on tier four, I’m not Asian, I’m not black, I’m not a woman, I’m not gay. So don’t treat me like s**t,’ he said in the clip.
‘I’m a man with a heart and I’ve got feelings.’
SEN boss Craig Hutchinson (pictured) has offered Morris his first role in the sports media industry since he was sacked for his vulgar comments
Morris confirmed he reached out to Fox Sports presenter Megan Barnard (pictured) to apologise for his disgraceful behaviour
To the dismay of many, Morris is now poised to revive his media career when he co-hosts the pre-game program Sunday Crunchtime on radio station SEN with former Fox Footy colleague Sarah Olle each week from 11am-1pm.
Given Morris’ previous experience in covering cricket, and the fact SEN is the biggest commercial radio rights holders for Cricket Australia, making the switch over at summer is also likely.
In February, SEN boss Craig Hutchison stated Morris ‘absolutely deserves a second chance.’
The announcement of Morris’ pending return in a piece published in The Age and the timing of the podcast’s release on International Women’s Day has been slammed by sport and media personalities.
ABC football reporter Samantha Lewis tweeted, ‘Ladies… as a treat, here’s a reminder that straight white men who are caught making sexist & homophobic comments still get to come back to cushy jobs in sports media.’
Sports journalist Megan Hustwaite also weighed into the conversation, posting online: ‘Oh and a happy #IWD2023 to the colleague whose personal life and privacy was violated.
‘She [also] continues to be reminded of it during redemption and comeback tours like this.’
Sports journalist Lavender Baj added: ‘We could’ve platformed Megan Barnard today but sure, let’s give Tom Morris more airtime he absolutely does not deserve.’
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