Bruce McAvaney on rumour and innuendo
Bruce McAvaney is known for his emotive calling style, which has led to rumours about his sexuality.
- Published by David Knox
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In a lengthy interview with the Sunday Herald Sun, Seven sports commentator has answered rumours about his sexuality, many of which have stemmed from his unique style.
“Well, I’m not gay. I’m a normal well, I shouldn’t say I’m a normal bloke, because gay guys are no different. Nothing like that worries me,” he said.
“Anything that is said about me, or inferred about me like that, it never worries me. It doesn’t have an impact on me. It doesn’t change me in one way or another. It’s irrelevant, because it’s not true.”
McAvaney is a regular a source of comedy for the AFL Footy Show team, which lampoons some of his terminology.
“I understand there are going to be rumours that have started, that may have been completely started by someone who has never met me or had nothing to do with me.”
But while many mock his emotive calling style, he is widely recognised for his recall of obscure sports facts.
McAvaney, who has called seven Olympic Games since the 1984 Los Angeles games, also concedes it will be difficult to watch the London Games on Nine.
“But I’ve got to say to myself, I’ve done seven Summer Olympics.
“How happy am I?”
The inimitable commentator adds that he hopes to see out his career at Seven.
“I’m 56, I’m not sure how much longer, A, I’ll keep going at this level, and B, how much they want me. It’s a combination of where the station is at, where I’m at, and who has the rights to football.”
Source: news.com.au
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- Tagged with AFL, Olympics, Seven Sport
29 Responses
yep… kellie’s call was universally panned !!
Wow – @callas by name, callous by nature.
I suppose you also cringe at Kelli Underwood commentating footy?
@chloe…please dont sugercoat the point i was trying to make.. yeah i get it that your straight but yet you do find women “beautiful” … straight women can get away with lots of things and still proclaim their hetrosexuality with great pride however a straight man unfortunately cannot boast as such… yeah sure a straight guy comfortable within himself can say another guy is hot but they dont ramble on about it (as per bruce’s comments) because if they do then their sexuality will be questioned from those around him which is what lead to bruce to acknowledge the rumour and inneudo as per david’s article.
Who cares if he’s gay or not? He’s good at what he does, and his sexuality shouldn’t come into question. And the comments he makes? A straight man can find another man good looking, but not be sexually attracted to him. I have acknowleged women as being ‘beautiful’ and I’m straight.
There are not many straight men out there who call call players “delicious”, “exotic”, “i get excited when i see that” (when viewing chris judd in the change rooms walking around semi naked) and “phew, what a turn on” and no i am not making these up.. even his co-commentators (buckley and mathews especially) cringed when he said that.. so yeah its best you go back to being “normal”, hey?
Heard these stories about him being gay years ago and threats to out him, but didn’t think it mattered one way or another if he is or not. He is a great talent – that is what matters – yes??? Let’s not talk look too closely at TV people’s private lives – like the network chief who used to bash his wife regularly, but is still today considered a ‘fine and moral’ member of the community.
And if Bruce is concerned about it being difficult to watch Nine host the 2012 Olympics, he should be reminded how horrible it was watching the Beijing Games on Seven – when they had every Seven network personality, including the carpenters from the homemaker shows, commenting and calling the races. A low in Aussie TV. Thank God Nine has taken the Olympics away from Seven.
This is a guy I’ve idolised since I was a youngster, and still think he’s one of the best all-round sports broadcasters.
I’ve always wanted to be just like him – his preparation for any broadcast that he does excels past anyone else in the business.
Sure, he’s over the top at times (and he himself admits it) – but you know what, sports broadcasting should be emotional and spur of the moment!
I totally agree that this shouldn’t be a story, but because so many people “on the street” bang on about his sexuality (which is really annoying) it’s always a supposed topic of discussion. In fact it seems to be a topic of discussion for anyone in the media.
Best footy caller !!!
I’ve cringed at some of his work over the years, but when looking at his work compared to the very lame work from a lot of the ex-sportsmen (& women) in the media, the guy is a real pro and I hope he stays around for a long time.
As for the attention over his sexuality… Meh! Why does it matter?
I still remeber his call of Cathy Freeman’s 400m race at the Sydney Olympics. One of the greatest sporting calls of all time.
Sport, hate it dont care who or what he is. really comments on a man probably that no one here knows personally. Get real people.
You can say what you want about Bruce but he’s much better than Nine’s main guy, the mistake-man Ken Sutcliffe.
I’ve never had any inklings that he might be gay until today (and I still don’t think he is). If the boofheads at Nine/Footy MeatHeadHQ think making fun of Bruce and implying he’s gay cos he’s emotive and passionate about sport, then they’ve got rocks in their heads (which we knew anyway).
Bruce, they a jealous of your ability and passion (we knew that already too).
I’m not into most sports but I can sure as hell appreciate good commentary from the bad – Bruce has been one of the best for many many years.
he has lost the plot in the last 10 years. he doesnt need to carry on like he does and just call the game like he use when he was good.
Some people are delusional. Bruce may have been good in his day but most footy fans(as opposed to Seven fans) agree he is now way over the hill. Personally I love it when Sam Newman makes fun of Bruce’s mannerisms and throaty growl!
Also agree who cares anyway if he’s gay or straight.
Delicious!
If Bruce wants to be involved in the London Olympics, easy. He could ask whichever commercial radio station (could be Macquarie Radio/2GB) that will cover the 2012 Games. Remember in 2006 he called the athletics at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games for the then Southern Cross Radio Network (including 3AW).
He’s not gay he’s “normal” ?? then the back pedal?
He’s definitely not gay, but he may as well wave the flag of homophobia high and proud.
Could have been better phrased yes, but I think homophobia is a lot more than a clumsy sentence.
He’s a pain in the a**e. No pun intended.
Craig, agree 110%. Perhaps it’s the words with more than two syllables that Bruce uses that the Foooty Show people don’t understand and get upset about. He’s probably Australia’s most versatile sports commentator, being able to accurately and sensibly commentate on most sports, rather than just one. He attracts an audience and has a history in TV sports that only the homophobic Footy Show fools can dream about. There’s a whole food chain between the pigs on the Footy Show and the gentleman Seven sports commentator.
Is this a Seinfeld story? It’s about nothing.
p.s. is that a veiled threat about “where the football rights are at”?
don’t lose this gem of a sportscaster seven.
Jealousy is a curse. IMHO Bruce McAvaney is a brilliant host and commentator.
Those arrogant idiots on the AFL Footy Show team should stick to commenting on the ‘Ariel Ping-Pong’ game they love so much !
Why is this even a story, does it matter if he is gay or not?
The Footy Show guys can only dream of being half the commentator that Bruce is, not only one of the finest sports callers in this country but in the world…gay, straight or otherwise, who cares? Hes damn good at what he does!