Collingwood forward and professional punter Jaidyn Stephenson has turned to the crowdfunding community in his hour of need, today launching a GoFundMe campaign to help pay a $20,000 fine from the AFL for placing bets on his own matches.
“There seems to be a huge willingness out there to help professional athletes cover costs incurred by their own terrible decision-making, so I figured I’d pass the hat around,” Stephenson told reporters.
The move echoes that of controversial rugby player and world-renowned freedom fighter Israel Folau, whose GoFundMe campaign was swiftly shut down four days after amassing upwards of $750,000 in donations.
“Yeah, it’s a freedom of expression issue, sure,” said a confused Stephenson.
