A former Aussie Rules player has come out as the first openly gay or bisexual man in the Australian Football League’s (AFL) 129-year history.

Mitch Brown, who played 94 matches for the West Coast Eagles between 2007 and 2016, told The Daily Aus that the weight of hiding his sexuality played a “huge” part in his decision to retire.

He added that he hoped his decision to speak would create the “safety, comfort and space” for others to come forward.

The AFL had been the only major professional men’s sport globally to never have had an openly gay or bisexual player, even after retirement.

Brown first shared the news in a direct message to The Daily Aus’s social media account after watching coverage of recent incidents of homophobia in the AFL.

“I played in the AFL for 10 years for the West Coast Eagles, and I’m a bisexual man,” he wrote.

The decision to speak out came from a “feeling of peace… comfort and confidence” that he didn’t have while hiding his sexuality when he was an active player, Brown said.

“It was never once an opportunity to speak openly or explore your feelings or questions in a safe way,” he added.

Brown described a culture of “hyper-masculinity” in the AFL, where he heard “countless” homophobic comments hurled at him on the field.

“When I was growing up at school, the word ‘gay’ was thrown around constantly… For a man in Australia, [it was seen as] probably the weakest thing you could be.”

He also recalled having a conversation with teammates about how they would feel having to shower next to a gay man.

“One of the players said ‘I’d rather be in a cage full of lions than have a shower next to a gay man.'”

Brown’s revelation and criticism of the AFL’s culture could mark a significant shift in the locker rooms of Australian men’s sports, an expert in behavioural science told the BBC.

“This is an historic moment for world sport because the AFL is the last major professional sport to be without a openly gay or bisexual male player. However players coming out so far hasn’t had much of an effect on changing behaviours in the grassroots,” said Monash University researcher Erik Denison.

“[But] Brown is taking a very different approach than other players in that he is being very open about the problems that need to change in his sport, at the grassroots, to make people like him feel safe.”

It has been 50 years since former American football player David Kopay came out as the first gay professional athlete in the NFL – but Denison is hopeful that Brown’s announcement will “help drive change to culture and behaviour at clubs around Australia”.

Brown, 36, is currently in a relationship with a female partner and was previously married to former netball player Shae Bolton, with whom he shares two sons.

The announcement comes after several high-profile homophobic incidents in the AFL.

Last week, Adelaide Crows player Izak Rankine received a four-week ban for using a “highly offensive” homophobic slur during a game.

Addressing the incident, Brown said he would like to see a “sense of change” in the league through the lifting up of “positive male role models”.

“My advice to the AFL would be, let’s celebrate the players who may not be the most successful, but they’re the most important players in our community.”

Brown said he believes there are currently gay and bisexual players in the AFL who remain closeted.

He encouraged fans to have empathy for all players and shared a message for those who still don’t feel comfortable enough to speak out.

“I see you and you are not alone.”