Footy legend Nathan Buckley divides footy fans with strong statement on why he’s backing the Yes campaign for the Voice to Parliament
Adam Goodes #AdamGoodes
Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley has divided footy fans by throwing his support behind the Voice to Parliament – offering another high-profile celebrity endorsement of the Yes campaign.
A short video of the AFL great being interviewed by Indigenous rapper Adam Briggs was posted on social media on Monday, where Buckley stated his reason for getting behind the campaign.
‘A No is definitive, a No is safe, a No is fearful,’ explained Buckley.
‘Yes is possibility. Yes is open-hearted, open-minded. And I don’t know how the parliament will operate. I don’t know how the Voice will go about its business…’
‘But I trust that we are going to keep moving towards giving the First Nations people more of a voice and more of a say to bridge the gap and improve conditions.
Nathan Buckley (pictured with partner Brodie Ryan at this year’s Brownlow Medal ceremony) said he believes the Yes vote is the only way to go
‘So I think that Yes is the only way to go, because I don’t know where No takes you.’
Buckley reposted the clip on his X account, with the statement: ‘Honoured to have @Briggs reach out to have this chat. Yes just makes sense to me to acknowledge what we know to be true. Then the work starts again.’
His endorsement, which comes days after one from NRL star Nathan Cleary, has sparked backlash from some fans, and support from others.
‘This is so pathetic. What a load of BS,’ replied one X user.
‘More celebrities who are having zero impact,’ said another.
‘We get all the rich celebrities are voting Yes but unfortunately for you the public isn’t,’ replied a third.
A fourth added: ‘We are all struggling. Not just aboriginal people.’
Some of Buckley’s fans thanked him for taking a stand and getting behind the Yes campaign.
Buckley’s support of the Yes campaign divided his followers on social media
Buckley (pictured during his playing days with Collingwood) joins a slew of sporting stars who have backed the Indigenous Voice to Parliament
‘Good onya Bucks, great clips – upfront, honest, open minded, open hearted and common sense. Vote YES,’ wrote one person.
‘Great work Bucks….. good to see you getting out there talking to community,’ said another.
‘Thanks for your advocacy Nathan,’ replied a third.
In 2022, Buckley opened up about racism in the AFL after allegations from ex-Magpies star Heritier Lumumba about his conduct during the former player’s time with the club.
The ex-Magpie also hit Buckley and former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire with allegations that they knew about problems with racism at the club but covered it up, and that Buckley scapegoated him over the issue.
‘I think there’s a lot of work to do in racism across the board, not just in sport,’ Buckley said at the time.
The Pies great joins a host of sports stars past and present, who have backed the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
In the NRL it has been endorsed by current Indigenous superstars including Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker and retired greats such as Jonathan Thurston.
The AFL grand final Norm Smith medal, the equivalent of the Clive Churchill, was claimed by Collingwood’s Bobby Hill who has already stated his support of the Voice along with a number of other current players.
Retired AFL stars Adam Goodes, Eddie Betts, Michael Long and Michael O’Loughlin are also cheering on the Yes vote.
The Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum will be held on October 14, with Aussies voting on whether to constitutionally enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advisory body.
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