Taylor Walker, Adelaide Crows’ linchpin, apologizes for the racist slur. He is still determining his playing future.

Adelaide Crows star Taylor Walker said that Indigenous teammates accepted his apology for the racist slur directed at him but did not say if he would be continuing to play next season.

Walker appeared before the media today for the first time since it was revealed that he commented on a North Adelaide player during a SANFL match.

He said, “I would like to apologize to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander folks for the pain and hurt I have caused.”

Walker commented about Robbie Young, an Aboriginal North Adelaide player who used to play AFL side St Kilda — during a Crows reserve match in SANFL on July 17.

An Adelaide Crows official reported the comment, prompting an investigation by AFL Integrity Unit.

Walker stated, “I am deeply sorry for what I have said… I’m ashamed and have some work to do, so please judge my actions hereon in.”

Walker was overcome with emotion as he thought about the impact of his loss on his family.

He said, “That’s the hardest thing; how have I let my family down.”

“You see something, and you say something.”

Taylor Walker’s racist comment about football was not flagged by an opponent but by a club official. Officials are being praised for their courage in defying football’s code.

He said that the four Indigenous boys were very open and honest with him and that it would help him understand the pain and hurt he’d caused to their communities.

“I apologized, and they accepted it.”

Walker stated that a decision about his playing future was “down the track” and that there was still “a lot to go under the Bridge.”

He said that he was also in dialogue with Young.

He said, “When I was first pushed on this, I was in denial. I panicked and was scared. I thought about me.”

“I let the time pass and realized that this wasn’t about me. This is about Robbie, the Adelaide official, and their pain. That’s when I decided to come forward and own it and to do my best to make amends.”

Although he expressed an interest in attending Saturday’s fairest and best celebrations, he said it was up to the club to decide.