Former West Coast Eagles premiership winner Mitch Brown and accomplice Lou Keck share joyful information of their first baby on the way in which. The couple posted a heartfelt Instagram video on Monday evening, displaying Brown kissing Keck’s child bump whereas she displayed the constructive being pregnant check. Brown captioned the clip, “one thing thrilling coming October 2026,” including a white love-heart emoji.
Supporters flooded the feedback with congratulations, together with mannequin Olivia Molly Rogers, who wrote, “Omg yay! Congratulations!”
Historic Bisexuality Announcement
Brown, 37, etched his title in AFL historical past final August because the league’s first overtly bisexual participant. He declared, “I performed within the AFL for 10 years for the West Coast Eagles and I am a bisexual man.”
The ex-defender, who featured in 96 video games for the Eagles from 2007 to 2016, spoke out amid backlash over the league’s response to homophobic slurs, together with a four-week suspension for Adelaide Crows’ Izak Rankine late final season.
Brown highlighted the challenges of AFL’s “hypermasculinity,” stating, “Within the locker room and within the spas, the chats have been all geared round ‘Who did everybody choose up on the weekend?’ Or, you understand, ‘she’s fairly sizzling.’ It was by no means as soon as a chance to talk overtly or discover your emotions or questions in a secure approach.”
Blended Household Particulars
Brown shares two sons with ex-wife Shae Bolton-Brown, a former skilled netballer. The pair ended their 16-year marriage amicably and preserve a detailed relationship.
Keck stood by Brown throughout his landmark revelation final 12 months. Shae expressed delight on Instagram, noting their teenage assembly as athletes and over a decade of family-building. She posted, “I for one could not be prouder of Mitch and can have fun his vulnerability loudly so hopefully these child athletes at present taking part in within the AFL really feel seen and secure and may be each little little bit of their bizarre… and so our youngsters can too.”
One other AFL LGBTQ+ Milestone
Brown’s braveness paves the way in which for additional openness within the sport. Former Brisbane Lions participant Leigh Ryswyk lately got here out as homosexual on Melbourne’s Pleasure 94.9 GayFL program.
Ryswyk shared, “To individuals who know me, my closest buddies, this isn’t new. I’ve been out for 5 years now.” He added that some listeners would possibly study of it for the primary time, emphasizing his non-public nature: “In the long run, the people who find themselves nearest and closest to me know, and that is what’s most necessary.”
Requested concerning the timing, he merely replied, “Why not?”
