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Remorseful Rankine’s heartfelt apology
SEN • September 3rd, 2025 8:50 am
Adelaide’s Izak Rankine insists he is remorseful and sorry for using a homophobic slur.
The Crows star copped a four-match suspension for making an offensive comment in his side’s narrow win over Collingwood in Round 23.
Rankine fought back tears as he addressed the media at Adelaide Airport after returning home from a trip to Italy.
“I want to start by saying how deeply sorry I am for what I said. There was no excuse, it was wrong and I take full responsibility,” Rankine told reporters.
“I’m disappointed in myself and I know I have let a lot of people down.
“I want to apologise to anyone who I have hurt and offended. I understand that word is offensive, harmful, it's hurtful and has no place in our game or our society.
“I am in no way a victim. Going away has given me the space to reflect and educate myself to understand the weight of my mistake. I’m fully committed to bettering myself in that area.
“In the next few days I’ll be standing in front of my teammates and the AFLW and apologising to them personally as they deserve this at the very least.
“From here all I can do is put my head down, work hard, support my teammates in the best way I can, and know through my actions that I’m growing and learning from my mistake.
“More than anything I want this club to succeed so I will be doing everything I can to gain everyone’s trust back and have a positive impact on society and my supporters.
“Thank you.”
Rankine has served one game of his four-game ban and can only play again this season if the Crow lose to the Magpies in this Thursday night’s Qualifying Final and then progress through to the Grand Final.
