Israel “Izzy” Folau is a professional rugby player from Australia. He’s also a raging homophobe with a history of being rewarded for his bad behavior.
This week, the 30-year-old New South Wales Waratahs player took to Instagram to once again lecture his 330K+ followers about the evils of homosexuality, warning them that “hell awaits … homosexuals,” and urging gay people to “repent” as “only Jesus saves lives.”
“Those that are living in sin will end up in Hell unless you repent,” he spouted. “Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to turn away from your sin and come to him.”
Hundreds of Instagram users slammed Folau in response.
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“You are an absolute flop,” one person wrote, adding the he is a “disgrace to the green and gold jersey.”
“Hell awaits those with tattoos as well mate, as the bible also forbids those,” another person said. “But I guess you ignore that part.”
“You truly are an idiot,” a third person commented.
But this is hardly the first time Folau, who is an active member of the antigay Assemblies of God fellowship, has come under fire for his homophobia.
Last year, he refused to apologize after saying “gays go to hell,” declaring he’d rather walk away from rugby than say he was sorry. He also slammed marriage equality and published a lengthy op-ed about his extremist beliefs.
Despite a huge public outcry and threats from sponsors, no disciplinary action was taken against Folau. In fact, a few months after the controversy, he was offered a long-term extension on his contract running through the end of the 2022 season.
This week, Rugby Australia issued yet another statement condemning Folau’s latest tirade and saying it is “investigating” the matter.
“The content within the post is unacceptable,” the statement read. “It does not represent the values of the sport and is disrespectful to members of the rugby community.”
But it remains to be seen what, if anything, will happen to Folau who, just last weekend, broke the all-time record for tries scored in Super Rugby with his 60th try in six years.
If history is any indication, he will likely get another slap on the wrist. Or maybe even a pay increase.
Related: A royal family member has had ENOUGH of this rugby star’s relentless homophobia
DCguy
He’s attacking LGBT people and Rupert Murdoch’s media down there is “Both Sidesing” the issue.
So of course nothing will be done.
Rock-N-RollHS
He’s a religious nut. Lots of those, and, unless you believe in censorship, they have a right to their craziness. It’s when they are start voting on other’s rights or running for office that we have to squash them. Otherwise, you can’t silence folks, no matter how crazy. Nor should you.
Chrisk
Yes I appreciate it when they stick their foot in their mouth and show what a complete dumbass Looney they are. However, we should go after his sponsors for sure. I’d like to know if they too support those views.
Brian
Yeah, I’ve done everything on his list so I guess I’m supposed to be offended. I just don’t know why I’m supposed to care about his opinion on anything. People are allowed to hate gay people if they want to, and they’re allowed to have dumb religious beliefs of they want to.
He’s not in a position of power to affect our rights, nor is he being violent against anyone, He’s not doing anything wrong and absolutely shouldn’t face any consequences beyond people clutching their pearls at him on Instagram.
DCguy
Nobody is saying he can’t speak. However, just as he has free speech to express his views, others have the freedom to tell his bosses that they won’t watch a team he plays on, or shop at companies that sponsor him.
Chrisk
All I see and hear is dumb jock that says dumb things. I’ll wait till we find some scientist, intellectual or anything really that requires actual intelligence to listen to.
john.k
Unfortunately he also happens to be a very good rugby player. At a time when the Australian team is suffering a dip in form it is unlikely that they will dispense with his services – especially with the Rugby World Cup coming up in the Autumn.
WindsorOntario
Assemblies of God people are crazy. They’re the ones who speak in tongues and faint in the aisles of the church, etc. It’s all fanaticism and show. They’re also the ones who are in charge of Teen Challenge, that shame-based drug/alcohol rehab that doesn’t use certified therapists, instead they use recent graduates of the program who are super religious nuts.
sputnik53
Me thinks Folau protests too much.
He needs to shed that angry exterior and let his inner gurl come out!
Come on honey, we know your in there!
sfcarlos65
And here we have another of the, “blindly obedient” flock, who would be better off questioning, rather going along.
Joshua333
Oh Dear. How sad. Guess who was RECENTLY FIRED for being a bit too opinionative for his own boots?
sydboy007
Could queerty do some reporting on the constant bigotry from Louis Farrakhan? He’s far more hateful against the queer community than any line footy player?
Chrisk
He’s old and unattractive though. He’ll just never be on queertys radar.
Luvstoread
His contract was terminated yesterday.
Chrisk
Good. So there are some consequences for this nutbag. Plus it’s going to drive the religious loonies crazy so it’s a two-for-one.
Chrisk
Also this kind of makes sense. This idiot made himself controversial and would cost them $ by driving fans away.
irbaboon
christians are such jerks
DCguy
So in other words, he’s a self hating closet case.
ImSoRich
So they terminated his contract. To his point, he didn’t single out us homos. He criticized everyone. He should learn to say that HE will abide by the bible. So hopefully he will learn by this.
Do we wonder if he is gay himself…..? or curious? and can’t handle it…? It seems that so many of the extreme homophobes are in truth hiding something………
one more thing
This is his way of lashing out as he is pissed he can’t stop fantasizing about getting it on with his teammates…..stuck in his own private closet of hell!