Footy fans drag AFL champion for using horror slur during commentary. Here is why they are wrong:
North Melbourne AFL champion David King has come under fire for his choice of words during commentary on Thursday night, but were footy fans wrong to single him out?
King was commentating on the Geelong versus Adelaide match, won by the Cats, when the incident occured.
As Zac Taylor lined up for a crucial goal for the Crows, King was talking about the Geelong defence in commentary.
He claimed that Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield had been held back by an Adelaide player and prevented from stopping the mark leading to the shot at goal.
But his choice of words has sparked fierce online debate.
‘The only reason Patrick Dangerfield [didn’t make it], he was retarded on the way to the marking contest,’ King said.
Fox Footy commentator David King was accused of using a derogatory slur in commentary during Thursday’s match between Geelong and Adelaide
Once a clinical term used to describe individuals with certain cognitive disabilities, the word today has shifted to become harmful slang used to mock and demean people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
‘Why are we using slurs against players in 2025?’ a footy fan posted to social media platform X.
‘Everyone knows how it can hurt disabled people, no place for that language in any shape or form.’
‘Did David King just call Patrick Dangerfield retarded?’ asked another.
‘I think he was going for a metaphor but majorly chose the wrong term? Idk,’ posted another.
But others were quick to point out that King was using an alternative meaning of the word, to say that Dangerfield was held back.
‘It is the correct technical term used for centuries to clarify how he was delayed in his movement,’ one posted.
‘Yes, it’s a slur, but it’s also an established verb,’ pointed out another.
Fans were to quick to point out that King was using an alternative meaning for the word when describing a passage of play involving Patrick Dangerfield
Big names Bailey Smith, Max Holmes, Jeremy Cameron and Patrick Dangerfield all starred in the Cats’ 18.11 (119) to 15.10 (100) win over Adelaide.
Dangerfield and Cameron kicked eight goals between them, combining to boot all of their side’s majors in a decisive five-goals-to-one final term.
Smith (35 disposals, six clearances) and Holmes (32 disposals, five clearances) were the game’s premier ball-winners and were the top two players on the ground for metres gained.
Geelong (3-2) have now won consecutive games for the first time this year and next face a huge showdown with unbeaten Hawthorn in their traditional Easter Monday blockbuster.
