Indigenous NRL star Latrell Mitchell warns players will be driven to suicide by racist online abuse

NRL superstar Latrell Mitchell has warned that young footy players could be driven to suicide by racist online abuse as he revealed some of the disgusting threats he has received from trolls.

Mitchell and Souths teammate Cody Walker are fed up with racist bullying online, and are demanding that laws are changed so that social media platforms can combat the hateful content.

‘Suicide happens every day because of online bullying,’ Mitchell told News Corp.

‘People see it, government see it, these social media platforms see it, but they don’t want to make change.

NRL star Latrell Mitchell has warned that young footy players could be driven to suicide by racist abuse online, as he revealed some of the disgusting threats he has received from trolls

Mitchell and teammate Cody Walker are fed up with racist bullying online, and are demanding that laws get changed so that social media platforms can combat the hateful content

‘So the shoe has got to be on the other foot and they’ve got to realise, what about if it happened to their families, the people that run the social media platforms, what if it happens to people in political roles, or their families are going through it, then what? Are you going to change then, because you’re getting affected by it?

‘Why can’t we do it now, and make this change now before anything does happen.’

Mitchell, who was allegedly called a ‘black dog’ by a ‘fan’ at Penrith’s Bluebet Stadium last month, is very concerned about the rising attacks on players and fears for the next generation.

‘I think a lot of people, especially from our background, from an Indigenous background, are going to start hiding away from the fact that they are Aboriginals,’ Mitchell said.

‘[The abuse will start] pushing them away from their heritage, denial, put people into doubt. And we don’t want that, this is why we’re so strong in our shoes, because of the people who have come before us, our family, our bloodlines run deeper than anything.

‘If social media aren’t going to be accountable and close that gap, so to speak, I think there’s going to be a lot of doubt and denial in being an Aboriginal man, or Aboriginal woman.’

Mitchell has been subjected to vile personal attacks due to his Indigenous heritage many times throughout his career.

In April 2021, two men were charged for sending Mitchell racially abusive messages on social media.

Mitchell, who was allegedly called a ‘black dog’ by a ‘fan’ at Bluebet Stadium last month, is very concerned about the rising attacks on players and fears for the next generation

Mitchell has been subjected to vile personal attacks due to his Indigenous heritage many times throughout his career. In April 2021, two men were charged for sending Mitchell racially abusive messages on social media

‘I’ve definitely got death threats, people want to pour petrol on me,’ he admitted. 

‘It’s always got to be that connection with petrol because you’re an Aboriginal man, all these stereotypes and breakdowns that people have in their heads, it makes no sense at all.

‘If people continue to be racist or abusive, I’ll continue to combat it.

‘I’ve got people that have got my back.

‘For me, people are starting to think before they act, especially because they know I won’t stand back and let it go, I’ll definitely screenshot it.

‘The police will definitely get involved, I’ve got contacts in there with the integrity unit, there’s avenues there to combat this and if people want to say stuff, I’ll continue to call it.’