Aussie Footy Stars’ Least Favorite C-Word Revealed—And It’s Not What You Think

Aussie Footy Stars Hate Being Called ‘Champ’ – And Here’s Why

A seemingly harmless term of endearment in Australian sports culture has sparked backlash, with rugby and AFL stars revealing they hate being called “champ” – and the reasons might surprise you.

The “Champ” Backlash

What many outsiders assume is a friendly nickname has become a major irritant for athletes. The term, once a casual staple in Aussie banter, is now viewed as patronizing or even offensive. The trend recently went viral when the Manly NRL club shared a lighthearted video of players reacting to being called “champ” during interviews. Their responses ranged from confusion to outright anger.

Forward Jazz Tevaga immediately bristled, demanding: “What do you mean ‘champ’? Why are you calling me ‘champ’ for?” Teammates Tommy Talau, Lachlan Croker, and Ben Trbojevic also reacted with visible annoyance, highlighting a generational shift in how the word is perceived.

Jazz Tevaga’s fiery response to the term ‘champ’ went viral.

From Compliment to Insult

American-born AFL player Mason Cox, who plays for Collingwood, exposed the term’s controversial undertones in a TikTok video. “You want to know the one word in the Australian language that will upset anyone? The word starts with a C – but it’s not the one you think. It’s ‘champ’,” he said.

Many younger Australians now associate “champ” with prison slang, where it’s code for a derogatory term – either “paedophile” or “c**sucker.” This dark connotation was dramatized in the TV series Mr Inbetween*, where a character unknowingly uses “champ” in jail and faces violence.

Older Aussies vs. New Sensitivities

The backlash has divided fans. Older generations recall using “champ” as harmless praise. Comments under the Manly video included: “Forgive us old blokes – ‘champ’ was common growing up. Now you’re picking a fight!” Others agreed with the players, listing banned terms: “‘Champ,’ ‘pal,’ ‘buddy,’ ‘chief,’ and ‘sport’ – all off limits!”

Mason Cox highlighted the term’s shift from playful to problematic.

Why the Disdain?

For athletes, “champ” often feels dismissive. Rugby league veteran James Graham noted: “It’s condescending. You’d never call a CEO ‘champ’ – so why athletes?” Younger players also link it to outdated attitudes dismissing their professionalism.

While the term’s prison ties aren’t widely known, its use in sports now risks misinterpretation. As Cox put it: “Call someone ‘champ’ here, and you’ll see their face drop.”

The Bottom Line

Once a sign of camaraderie, “champ” now symbolizes a cultural clash. For athletes, it’s less about oversensitivity and more about respect – and avoiding unintended insults. As language evolves, this small word serves as a reminder: what’s friendly to some can be fighting words to others.

Tommy Talau’s stunned response mirrored many players’ disdain for the term.

So, next time you’re tempted to call an Aussie athlete “champ”? Maybe just stick to their name.

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