Indigenous AFL icon Eddie Betts makes shock career switch to become a TV producer

Eddie Betts has done it all: 350 AFL games, four Goal of the Year titles, recognition as prominent Indigenous spokesperson and bestselling books – and now he’s heading into television.

The 36-year-old wrote two children’s books, and the ‘Eddie’s Lil’ Homies’ series is now set to feature on Netflix and Indigenous television channel NITV; with Betts as producer. 

Both the two children’s books – My Kind and My People – and the stunning revelations in his memoir, The Boy from Boomerang Crescent, were as well received as any done by a star athlete.

Now, kids all over Australia will be able to watch a cartoon series that is both about spreading kindness and highlighting struggles in Australia with racism. 

Eddie Betts, pictured with wife Anna and two of his five children, is now a producer of a Netflix series after his ‘Eddie’s Lil’ Homies’ books were adapted into a cartoon series

Betts, a married father of five, said it was a ‘pinch me’ moment for someone who couldn’t read or write when he entered the AFL at 17.

‘Here I am, just this shy Aboriginal kid from the community that couldn’t read or write,’ he told the Sydney Morning Herald. 

‘I wouldn’t have thought I’d have the career I had in AFL football, let alone writing two children’s books and have an autobiography out. And now I’m a producer of a cartoon series. It’s crazy.’ 

Betts’ two books, My People and My Kind, are being adapted into the Netflix series ‘Eddie’s Lil’ Homies’ 

After kicking 640 AFL goals – some of the best of all-time, many of them – during 17 entertaining years in the league, Betts has now turned his attention to being a spokesperson for Indigenous peoples across Australia.

His memoir contained some horrifying examples of racism, chief of which was his experience at and after the now-infamous preseason camp while he was at the Crows.

Eddie Betts played 350 goals across 17 seasons with both the Blues and Crows, kicking 640 goals in a marvellous career

Betts says his main role now post-footy is educating people around racism and inclusiveness, and making Australia a ‘better place’

Now the footy star, who also does speaking engagements to help businesses make their companies a safer space for Indigenous people, wants to educate youngsters, in particular, about all the beautiful cultures that make up current day Australia.  

‘Everything I do now is not for me, it’s for my people. It’s to make this country a better place,’ Betts said.  

‘If I can’t educate the older generation, I want to start with the younger ones, I want to educate them,’ he says. ‘That’s how we gradually make change.’