Leigh Ryswyk Becomes First Former Australian Football League Player to Come Out as Gay

Former Australian Football League (AFL) player Leigh Ryswyk has publicly come out as gay, becoming the first man linked to the competition to do so.

Ryswyk, who played a single AFL match for the Brisbane Lions in 2005 before injuries ended his top-level career, later went on to play more than 220 games for North Adelaide Football Club in the South Australian league.

Speaking in a radio interview, the 41-year-old revealed he has been openly gay among close friends for around five years and recently shared the news publicly. He said both of his parents responded with strong support when he came out to them.

His announcement follows that of Mitch Brown, who in 2025 became the first AFL player to come out as bisexual after retiring from a career that included time with the West Coast Eagles. Until then, the AFL had been notable among major men’s professional sports leagues for never having an openly gay or bisexual player, even post-retirement.

Ryswyk expressed optimism that the sporting environment has evolved and would be supportive of any current player choosing to come out.

“I think the AFL, and the community, will wrap their arms around that player,” he said during the interview on Melbourne-based station Joy 94.9.

Reflecting on his personal journey, Ryswyk described the emotional experience of coming out to his family, saying it took several years to find the courage. He recalled heartfelt conversations with both parents, who reassured him of their unconditional support.

Despite being open within his inner circle, Ryswyk noted that he has generally kept his private life out of the public eye until now.

Originally from Victoria, he moved to Queensland to join the Brisbane Lions and made his sole AFL appearance against Fremantle in Perth. He later built a distinguished career at state level and was inducted into the AFL Queensland Hall of Fame.