Penrith Panthers Star Brian To’o in Hot Water Over Disrespectful ‘Lewd’ Social Media Posts About Teammates’ Partners
Penrith Panthers winger Brian To’o has found himself in hot water following a series of inappropriate social media posts that have raised eyebrows within the club. The 27-year-old, who has been a standout player for the Panthers, shared a number of Instagram stories following the club’s annual awards night. Rather than celebrating his teammates’ achievements, To’o made a series of distasteful remarks about their wives and girlfriends.
In the posts, To’o mocked the partners of several teammates, including star halfback Nathan Cleary’s girlfriend, Matildas footballer Mary Fowler, as well as Scott Sorensen’s wife Elle, Matt Eisenhuth’s wife Holly, and breakout star Tom Jenkins’ partner Jess. When sharing a post of Cleary being awarded the prestigious Merv Cartwright Medal, To’o captioned it with “Fowler smasher,” followed by a goat emoji and a love heart, a comment that many found offensive.
The club acted swiftly, with Panthers officials confronting To’o about the offensive posts. Although To’o deleted the stories after they were live for 24 hours, the damage had already been done, sparking widespread criticism. To’o has since issued a public apology, expressing regret for his actions and acknowledging the hurt he caused.
While the winger is expected to play in Penrith’s upcoming elimination final against the Warriors, there are indications that the club may impose further sanctions on him in response to the controversy. The incident has served as a reminder of the importance of accountability in the digital age, especially for high-profile athletes with large social media followings.
To’o’s comments have left a stain on what should have been a night of celebration, and the Panthers now face the challenge of managing both the fallout and their star player’s behavior moving forward.
