LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Alex McKinnon addressed a recent incident involving the Newcastle Knights, who faced criticism for not including him in a pre-game event with the spinal support organization, 'Stronger Together,' during their match against the Melbourne Storm.
McKinnon, who attended the game in a wheelchair with his family and purchased his own ticket, described the oversight as "insensitive" but noted he "wasn't personally upset" by it.
The controversy arose because McKinnon suffered life-altering injuries in a game against the Storm 11 years ago.
Daily Telegraph journalist David Riccio labeled the omission a "disgraceful oversight," emphasizing that the Knights could have selected any other home game for the charity promotion.
He pointed out the insensitivity of promoting the spinal cord charity while facing the same team responsible for McKinnon's injuries, stating, "Of all the home games this season that the Knights could have chosen, they selected a home game against the Melbourne Storm to promote a spinal cord charity."
In an official statement, Knights officials apologized to McKinnon.
He responded via social media, acknowledging the timing of the charity's involvement was unfortunate.
He expressed a desire to have participated, noting it would have been a significant opportunity to demonstrate that he held no lingering resentment toward the Storm.
McKinnon stated, "I wasn't personally upset by the weekend's events.
If anything I found the irony of it being against the Storm a bit funny.
It felt like a missed opportunity to connect with the Storm and back a great cause, raising funds and awareness for those living with spinal cord injuries."