Sydney legend Adam Goodes knocks back AFL Hall of Fame offer

Adam Goodes, arguably the AFL’s most decorated Indigenous player, has rejected an offer to be inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

The Sydney legend cut ties with everything to do with football since he retired in 2015, after prolonged booing during games.

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Goodes’ on-field feats made him a walk-up start to be inducted into the hall of fame this year, now he is eligible.

But AAP has confirmed a Herald Sun report on Tuesday that the dual Brownlow medallist has knocked back the nomination.

Goodes’ final three seasons, particularly his last, were marred by ugly booing by crowds, and he also became a target for controversial figures in the media.

The AFL eventually apologised for how the Goodes saga was handled by the league.

The 372-game champion called out a teenage Collingwood supporter during a game at the MCG in 2013 after she called him an “ape”.

Australian cricket has reached out to former footballer Adam Goodes Getty Images

Goodes was named Australian of the Year in 2014, with the awards committee commending him for being a “great role model and advocate for the fight against racism both on and off the field”.

The two-time Swans premiership player has rarely given media interviews since retiring but spoke with The Guardian last year about his now non-existent relationship with football.

“I’ve tried to go to games and I haven’t enjoyed it. It’s really sad, because my godchildren love going to the football,” Goodes said. “These are the kids of Michael O’Loughlin (another Sydney Swans icon and Goodes’ cousin).

“They always ask me to go and I feel really bad about not sharing that time because I adore them. I have other things to do.”