what did stephanie rice tweet
Stephanie Rice posted a now-deleted tweet in 2010 celebrating an Australian rugby win that used a homophobic slur, which later led to public backlash and a sponsorship loss.
What Did Stephanie Rice Tweet?
In 2010, after Australia’s rugby union win over South Africa, Stephanie Rice tweeted an exclamatory message that included the phrase “Suck on that faggots” (censored here for clarity and sensitivity).
She deleted the tweet soon after, but screenshots and reports circulated widely in news and sports media, turning it into a major controversy around an athlete’s use of a homophobic slur on social media.
Note: The wording above reflects how multiple news outlets quoted the tweet at the time, but I’ve partially censored it due to its offensive nature.
Immediate Fallout and Reactions
- The tweet was condemned by LGBTQ+ advocates and public figures, including openly gay former rugby league player Ian Roberts, who strongly criticised Rice’s comment.
- Luxury car maker Jaguar ended its endorsement deal with her, explicitly linking the decision to the tweet.
- The post was quickly deleted, but by then it had already been captured and widely discussed in Australian and international media.
Her Apology and Public Response
- Rice held an emotional press conference where she called the tweet “thoughtless and careless” and repeatedly apologised to those she offended.
- She stressed that she did not intend to cause harm, said she had “learned a huge lesson,” and acknowledged she needed to think before speaking or posting online.
- Commentators later described it as “the tweet that sank Stephanie Rice,” highlighting how a single social media post significantly damaged her public image and sponsorships.
How It’s Talked About Now
- In more recent years, including during her appearance on SAS Australia in 2023, Rice has revisited the incident and spoken about how that tweet “changed her life,” framing it as a turning point that forced her to confront the impact of her words.
- The incident is often cited today as an early, high-profile example of how athletes’ social media posts can trigger real-world consequences and broader discussions about language, homophobia, and accountability online.
TL;DR: Stephanie Rice’s controversial tweet said “Suck on that faggots” (offensive slur censored here), posted in excitement after a rugby win; it was deleted, widely condemned, cost her sponsorships, and led to emotional public apologies and long-term reputational impact.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.