- Morris was fired from Fox Sports following leaked messages and videos
- Footy fans were left furious when he won an award this year
- Now bounced back from scandal with one of football’s best jobs
Disgraced footy reporter Tom Morris returns to television as Channel Nine’s chief AFL reporter less than two years after being sacked by Fox Sports for making shocking comments about women, Asians and homosexuals.
Currently at SEN, he will be joined in the Nine team by Xander, the son of former Collingwood chairman Eddie McGuire, according to the Herald Sun.
The move is sure to put many football fans offside after they lashed out in fury and disbelief when Morris won a prestigious award for his reporting in September.
He was sacked by Fox Footy in March 2022 after a leaked WhatsApp chat showed he made shameful comments about former colleague Megan Barnard as he revealed his sexuality.
Many footy fans were angry when Morris (pictured, right, with SEN colleague Gerard Whateley) won a major award for his reporting in September – and news of his new job with Channel Nine is sure to leave them furious again.
The AFL journalist was sacked by Fox Sports in March 2022 after shameful comments he made about then-colleague Megan Barnard (pictured) came to light.
Another leaked video showed him making a series of racist, sexist and homophobic statements.
“To the level four guys, I’m not Asian, I’m not black, I’m not female, I’m not gay. So don’t treat me like shit,” he said in the clip, which was also leaked from a WhatsApp group.
“I am a man with a heart and I have feelings.”
Morris was heavily criticized by AFL supporters when he won a gong at the Australian Football Media Association Awards on 19 September.
SEN published the news of Morris’ victory – and that of fellow SEN Gerard Whateley – in a social media post featuring a photo of the pair which read: ‘A MASSIVE congratulations to our own @GerardWhateley and @tommorris32 on their victories at the AFMAs tonight. And a big congratulations to Tom for winning the prestigious Alf Brown Award as this year’s Best Media Artist.
This announcement sparked a wave of anger from dismayed football fans.
“Did Tom thank or actually apologize to Megan Barnard in his acceptance speech? I can’t believe this could happen after what was said. It is clear that there are no standards here,” commented one of them.
Morris’ shocking comments were leaked less than 24 hours after he made national headlines when he was criticized by Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge during a press conference.
“Tom receiving an award shows how dirty the journalism world is,” wrote another.
“How does Tom Morris still have a job in media?” Disgusting,” said a third fan.
Another commenter wrote: “Gerard, I hope no man ever talks about your daughters the way Tom talks about women. And may they never see your support for Tom as proof that this is what they deserve.
As news of his job at Nine spread on Thursday, more fans were furious.
“Talented people can’t advance in film media circles, but we have to do backflips to rehabilitate Tom Morris because he has the right drinking buddies,” one wrote.
“Another reason why Channel 9 continues to never get football rights. Look who they employ,” wrote another on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Morris’ dismissal by Fox Sports came less than 24 hours after he made national headlines when he was criticized by Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge during his press conference following their first round defeat against Melbourne last year.
Morris admitted his statements were “disgusting and shameful” when he apologized on social media shortly after his dismissal.
Beveridge saw red and lashed out at Morris over a report he made about the team, calling him “embarrassing” in a frosty exchange in the post-match press conference.
After being released, Morris posted a message on social media.
“I would like to unconditionally apologize to everyone for my disgusting and shameful comments, which became public yesterday,” he wrote.
“I am particularly sorry to the person involved. No one should ever, in any place or at any time, be spoken of in this way.
“I am deeply ashamed of my behavior. My comments were hurtful to many and I will now take the time to listen, learn and work to improve, ensuring that I become a better person. I’m really sorry to everyone.
