Former AFL Player Leigh Ryswyk Comes Out as Gay

After living openly among close friends for five years, former Brisbane Lions player Leigh Ryswyk has made history as the first openly gay AFL player.

Ryswyk shared his story on Melbourne's Joy 94.9 FM during an interview that aired Wednesday. The announcement breaks new ground in Australian Football League history, where no current or former player had previously come out as gay.

"To people who know me, my closest friends, this is not new," Ryswyk said during the interview. "I've been out for five years now."

The former athlete explained his private approach to sharing his identity. He noted that while his announcement might surprise some people, the most important people in his life have known for years.

Ryswyk's AFL career began when he joined the Brisbane Lions for the 2005 season after moving from Victoria to Queensland as a young player. He played one match during his time with the Lions, contributing to a 39-point victory over Fremantle in round 11.

After the Lions delisted him at the end of that season, Ryswyk found success in South Australia. He went on to play more than 200 matches for North Adelaide in the SANFL, building a respected career in the sport he loves.

Why This Inspires

Ryswyk's announcement represents more than personal courage. It opens doors for athletes still weighing whether they can bring their whole selves to the field.

His decision to share his story publicly, even years after coming out privately, shows that visibility matters. Every athlete who steps forward makes it easier for the next person questioning whether there's room for them in professional sports.

Former West Coast Eagles player Mitch Brown paved similar ground last year as the first openly bisexual man to have played in the AFL. Together, these athletes are changing what's possible in Australian football.

Ryswyk chose to live authentically on his own timeline, and now he's helping create space for others to do the same.