Broncos CEO Paul White has offered an unreserved apology to Steve Renouf and any other past Indigenous players who may have experienced racism while reassuring the club is now a modern-day example of inclusivity.
Renouf, one of the club's favourite sons who was part of four premiership-winning teams in the 1990s, has addressed the topic of racism front on in an in-depth interview with NRL.com.
After viewing the video, White showed strong leadership by backing Renouf for his stance and apologising on behalf of the club for the sins of the past.
"The Broncos offer a complete and unreserved apology to Steve Renouf, and any other Indigenous player or staff member who endured any such comments," he said.
"Comments such as these have no place in our society nor our game – you can see the impact that those words are still having on Steve today, more than 30 years after he was subjected to them.
"Today at the Broncos we are doing all we can to give back to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who hold a central and very special place in our club.
"We are incredibly privileged to now have more than 30% of Broncos staff who are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage.
"Many of these staff are now empowering and inspiring the next generation and assisting young people in our Beyond the Broncos programs.
"Our partnership with the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) and their Deadly Choices programs – honoured through the club’s indigenous jersey this weekend – helps deliver positive health messages and encourage tens of thousands of health checks every year.
"It makes us proud that Steve, as a former Broncos great, is part of those Deadly Choices programs, making such a huge difference in communities right across Queensland.
"In schools, our own Beyond The Broncos mentoring programs are now being delivered in more than 40 campuses across Queensland and northern NSW, aiming to increase attendance rates and leadership amongst indigenous students, in particular young women.
"The club has also developed a Reconciliation Action Plan, meaning we are dedicated to building stronger relationships with First Australian Peoples and communities in everything we do.
"We applaud Steve for having the courage to speak out, and we agree with him in hoping that speaking out will make a difference going forward.
"I can assure Steve and every Broncos member and supporter that the Broncos remain absolutely committed to helping and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people."
