Featured Image Credit: Instagram/manlyseaeagles/Supplied/NRL
Topics: Australia, NRL, Rugby League, Cronulla Sharks
Max Sherry
Topics: Australia, NRL, Rugby League, Cronulla Sharks
Cronulla Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo says he'd be more than happy to wear a pride jersey, despite being devoutly religious.
Seven Manly Sea Eagles players made headlines around the world last month after they refused to wear their club's rainbow 'Everyone in League' strip.
The group even threatened to boycott their game if they were forced to don the shirt and were ultimately stood down on religious ground.
The entire ordeal left many split with some people taking aim at the players while others heavily criticised the club for failing to consult with the group.
A number of NRL players have had their say on the matter, including Mulitalo who admits he'd have no issued with wearing an LGBTQIA+ jersey, despite his own devout faith.
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"We spoke about it briefly here, but I wouldn't mind [wearing it] myself," he told Nine's Wide World of Sports.
"I love my charity work, I love being for the people.
"A couple of my mates are gay and part of that community and I support and love them just as much. I'll stand up and stand tall for them."
Mulitalo's Sharks teammate Toby Rudolf was another big-name star who decided to speak out during Manly's jersey saga.
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The Cronulla fan favourite was quick to throw his support behind the LGBTQIA+ community and even opened up about his own fluid sexuality.
"Love is love at the end of the day," Mulitalo said.
"We've obviously got Toby here and I can't really go against him, he's one of my best mates and I really want to rally around him as well.
"For anyone out there that's still trying to find out who they are, just know that there's people out there like us that support and love you."
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He added: "I'm not scared, I'm my own person - I like to speak out loudly, so what I feel is what I feel. Not everyone's going to agree with it and that's alright, I'm fine with that."
Clearly very talented on the field, Mulitalo's actions off it has seen him quickly emerge as one of the most loveable characters in rugby league.
At 22 years old, he's also continuing to use his platform to raise awareness for mental health.
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"I'm religious, but I'm not one to judge," he added.
"We speak about mental health – I'm serious about it. Those people are doing it tough. I want to make sure that they know that there's people standing with them."