Former NRL footballer Willie Mason is officially not homophobic because he “has mates that are gay.”
Mason, who is currently playing rugby union for Toulon in France, said his phone was stolen and hacked over the weekend. This, he said, explained a barrage of abusive tweets – including several gay slurs – from his Twitter account.
“if I offended u … come on man I’m not homophobic some of my mates r gay.. so don’t take it personal mate,” Mason tweeted to one follower who took exception to a gay taunt.
Mason’s friend, Rob Fairlight, 33, told The Public Apology that Mason was “probably the gayest straight bloke I know.”
“We used to take Willie out to Oxford Street all the time for a laugh; and he absolutely loved getting his shirt off, having a dance and asking the DJ to play Darude’s ‘Feel The Beat’,” he said.
“There was nothing gay about that karaoke performance he gave at my 30th, either. I’ve never heard anyone hit the high notes in Cher’s ‘Believe’ the way he did, without any auto-tune assistance.”
Fairlight said that it was his fault that Mason failed a drug test in 2003, which saw the former Origin star fined A$25,000 by the Bulldogs. “I gave him [an ecstasy pill] at the Colombian Hotel one night to get him peaking because he seemed a bit tired after a tough game against the Broncos. But that’s the gay scene for you, and Willie didn’t want to seem like he was homophobic by refusing the drug.”
“I know, I know, these may seem like stereotypically gay pastimes, but it’s actually how we [gays] live our lives. After all, I’m Willie Mason’s gay mate! That’s actually how I introduce myself at parties.”
Once known for his vehemently heterosexual behaviour, Mason is reportedly now fielding requests from Sydney Mardi Gras organisers to appear at the famous festival next year.
RMIT gender studies lecturer Caroline Worthington told The Public Apology that Mason was clearly a tolerant open-minded individual who refused to judge people on the grounds of sexuality.
“It really is very sweet and considerate to let everyone in the world that he has got a gay friend and therefore cannot possibly be homophobic,” she said, sarcastically.
Meanwhile, dual international and staunch homophobe Rex Mossop, who died earlier this year, is believed to be rolling in his grave.
By Dave Edwards