Sam Newman is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Geelong Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
He is also known for his love of motoring and motorsport.
Newman has been married four times, and his last wife, Amanda Brown, died in May 2021.
He recorded an emotional tribute to her on his social media accounts.
In February 2018, he joined a podcast with former Herald Sun chief football writer Mike Sheahan and former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas entitled Sam, Mike and Thomo, which aired once weekly and covered all trending topics, with a sprinkling of AFL commentary.
However, in March 2019, it was announced by Newman on social media that the podcast would not proceed due to him being perceived to be making fun of transgender people on a prior episode of the podcast.
Newman has been in the news for controversial comments he has made. In September 2023, he asked Australians to boo the Welcome to Country at the AFL Grand Final, which sparked backlash.
In the past, he has been accused of making racist and sexist comments.
In May 2021, Newman’s wife Amanda Brown died aged 50, and he tried to revive her using CPR for 20-30 minutes.
Newman was emotional when he spoke about the incident, and it was widely reported in the media.
Sam Newman black-face
Newman caused controversy in 1999 when he wore blackface to impersonate Indigenous Australian Football League footballer Nicky Winmar on the Footy Show after Winmar did not attend a scheduled appearance.
The incident was widely criticized as racist and offensive, forcing Newman to apologize.
In 2020, Eddie McGuire, a prominent AFL commentator and president of the Collingwood Football Club, defended Newman’s blackface stunt in an ABC documentary, leading to renewed criticism and backlash.
McGuire’s comments were seen as insensitive and out of touch with the current cultural climate, and many people called for him to apologize.
The use of blackface has a long and controversial history, dating back to the 19th century when white performers would darken their skin and exaggerate stereotypical features to portray black characters in minstrel shows.
Blackface has been widely condemned as racist and offensive, as it perpetuates harmful stereotypes and caricatures of black people.
In recent years, there has been increased awareness and sensitivity around issues of race and representation, leading to a growing recognition of the harm caused by blackface and other forms of cultural appropriation.
The controversy surroundingNewman’s blackface stunt and McGuire’s defense of it highlights the ongoing need for education and awareness around issues of race and racism in society and the media.
Sam Newman controversy
Newman has recently sparked controversy over his comments regarding the Welcome to Country ceremony, which is a traditional Indigenous Australian ceremony performed before major events.
On September 20, 2023, he asked Australians to boo the Welcome to Country ceremony at the AFL Grand Final.
He later doubled down on his comments in a fiery interview, where he was asked if he was a racist.
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan condemned Newman’s suggestion, stating that the ceremony was an important part of the AFL’s commitment to reconciliation.
This is not the first time Newman has caused controversy.
In 2015, he made comments about Indigenous AFL player Adam Goodes during a multicultural round, which led to widespread condemnation.
In addition to his comments about the Welcome to Country ceremony, Newman has also recently made a reference to the Sun Yang scandal at the world swimming championships to hit out at Adam Goodes.
