An emotional Taylor Walker has broken his silence after being hit with a six-match AFL suspension for a racist slur directed at SANFL Player Robbie Young.
Walker appeared alongside Young in a video released by the Adelaide Crows and announced that he would take an extended break away from the club “to let people heal”.
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“Robbie expressed his feelings to me to sit next to me today. I’m so thankful that you’re here mate, sitting next to me,” Walker told Young in the video. “Thank you for accepting my apology. You’ve showed huge courage and support for me.”
“I want to apologise to you and your family, to the Adelaide official and his family, to all aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and their communities, for the pain, hurt and disappointment that I’ve caused.
Walker was flanked by Young as he apologised for his racist comment (Nine)
“What I’ve said was racism and it’s totally unacceptable. I’ve lost trust and respect from everyone and I know that, and I’ve got work to do. I’m going to take some time away from the football club to let people heal.”
Walker is yet to front the media since being hit with the suspension following an AFL investigation into the incident, and it remains unclear when he will do so.
The 31-year-old’s apology video came after Adelaide Crows CEO Tim Silvers admitted that the veteran forward was an “emotional wreck” after being hit with the ban.
Walker has been roundly criticised since the investigation was completed, with Indigenous ex-teammate Eddie Betts urging him to “learn” from his mistake.
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