Leigh Ryswyk is sharing a personal part of his life publicly for the first time.
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The former Brisbane Lions player has come out as gay, becoming the first past or present male AFL player to do so. He opened up during an interview on a Melbourne radio program, explaining that while it may be new to some, those closest to him have known for years.
"To people who know me, this is not new," Ryswyk said, per The Guardian. "I've been out for five years now."
Ryswyk played one AFL game in 2005 before injury cut short his time at the top level. But his football career didn't end there. He went on to become a standout in the SANFL, playing more than 200 games for North Adelaide and building a respected legacy in the sport.
Now, his story is resonating beyond the field.
Ryswyk said he's always been a private person, which is why he never made a public announcement before now. But he understands that moments like this can matter to others.
Leaders around the game quickly voiced their support. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon praised Ryswyk for sharing his story, while players and organizations reiterated their commitment to making the sport more inclusive.
The moment also follows Mitch Brown coming out as bisexual, another step forward in representation within the league.
For Ryswyk, though, the message is simple: Be yourself, and be comfortable doing it.
