South Sydney star Damien Cook has opened up on the second an alleged racial slur was hurled at teammate Latrell Mitchell and revealed the touching act of assist from Penrith’s Jarome Luai.
Cook additionally responded to claims that the remark by {the teenager} wasn’t “racially motivated.”
Cook was one of many three Rabbitohs gamers that have been seen on digital camera turning round within the tunnel at half time of their Round 2 conflict with the Panthers when the incident occurred.
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Speaking on the Fox League Podcast, the 31-year-old recalled the pure “shock” he felt when he heard the remark from a teenage boy within the crowd.
“It’s just quite a shock — you don’t think it’s going to happen in this day and age. In 2023 you don’t think anything like that is going to happen at all,” Cook mentioned.
“We see a lot of stuff that happens on social media but this was in person. This is a young kid who is sitting right on the tunnel when Latrell’s walking up there and leans in to say it and makes sure he hears it.
“It’s just not on at all. It was a complete shock and I think if you see the footage you see us all sort of react at the same time, turn our heads really quickly.”
The Rabbitohs and Panthers have been getting caught into one another on the sector, however as quickly because the incident occurred the mindset of being rivals was dropped and the gamers united.
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”I nonetheless keep in mind Luai flip round and head in the direction of the group as properly as a result of he heard it,” Cook mentioned.
“He was in support of Latrell and I said that to him after the game that I really appreciated his reaction in that time. I hope Latrell felt the love not just from his teammates but the opposition (as well).
“We can go toe-to-toe on the field but when we walk off it’s a different game.”
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The perpetrator behind the act was recognized as a 15-year-old-boy. His father mentioned after the incident that his son “shouldn’t have said what he said,” in accordance with a News Corp report.
Just over two weeks in the past The Sydney Morning Heraldreported that {the teenager} was disputing the allegation that the remark directed at Mitchell was “racially motivated.”
Cook has not seen that report however was baffled when requested about it.
“I don’t know how you can say that without being racially fuelled by that comment,” he declared.
“I think Nicho Hynes summed it up really well and we spoke about it after the game with the media with a lot of emotion and a lot of protection of our teammate — and it’s that he needs education. It’s not to be named and shamed.
“It’s all about education and for that person to go and learn about the culture and understand some of the damage that he’s done as well.
“I haven’t seen any of the comments or articles about (the claims) but I definitely don’t see how you can say that and not link it to racism straight away.”
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Cook additionally gave an replace on Mitchell’s wellbeing, sharing that the star fullback is “doing really well” and added that he praised the 25-year-old’s resilience.
“The way he handled himself in the middle of a game, at half time, when emotions are high, the way he carried himself and went about it in the best way possible for him it’s all credit to him,” Cook mentioned.
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“I hope that he felt the love from not only us, but the Panthers players and across the whole community. I hope that he felt that everyone had his back because we definitely did.
“There’s definitely no place for racism not just in footy but in life in general. This is just another lesson for everyone that it’s got not place in our game or anywhere.
“It’s sad because I know it’s not the first time he’s experienced this — it’s happened online and now it’s happened in person.
“I hope he definitely feels the support from us, how we stand by him — we always will… Along with his brother (Shaquai) as well.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
