LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Charlie Gallico, the man inside the South Sydney Rabbitohs mascot costume, has issued a public apology for pushing a young Sharks fan at a recent game.
The incident occurred during the Rabbitohs' loss to Cronulla when the fan, nine-year-old Benji Agius, was shoved by the mascot, named Reggie Rabbit, as he was leaving the field.
Gallico, who has been portraying Reggie Rabbit for over two decades and is 81 years old, initially claimed that the fan had grabbed at him before the push.
However, after reviewing the footage, he admitted that his actions were wrong.
In a statement released by the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Gallico expressed regret over his behavior, stating, "My actions were wrong.
I should never have pushed Benji, or any child for that matter, the way I did on Saturday.
I love children and do a lot of work for charity, in the community and in junior football.
I realise Reggie Rabbit is a children's character and my actions were not right."
The incident drew attention and criticism from fans and the public, prompting Gallico to reflect on his actions and issue an apology.
Despite initially defending his behavior, Gallico took responsibility for his actions and expressed his remorse for his actions towards the young fan.
The apology from the long-time mascot performer serves as a reminder of the importance of appropriate behavior, especially when interacting with young fans at sporting events.
The incident serves as a cautionary tale for mascot performers and highlights the need for respect and professionalism when engaging with fans, particularly children.
By acknowledging his mistake and offering an apology, Gallico took a step towards accountability and reconciliation following the controversy surrounding the incident.
The public apology from the South Sydney Rabbitohs mascot performer underscores the significance of upholding proper conduct and respect, especially in situations involving interactions with young fans.