A woman who dressed up as a club mascot to an AFL elimination final has been unveiled as an Adelaide Crows superfan.
Colleen McKaye, 59, spoke out over the ‘deeply distressing” incident, which saw her go viral on social media and accused of committing blackface.
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It has since emerged McKaye painted her face black as she dressed up as the Crows mascot.
The Daily Mail report she is currently laying low from the spotlight, with her son James speaking publicly on her behalf.
“She is not taking any calls at the moment,” James told the Daily Mail.
“I’ve had all her friends messaging me worried because she’s not answering her phone. She’s not doing too great after everything.
“She’s just a person who loves her footy club so to be painted as a racist [is just awful for her].”
McKaye is a familiar figure at Crows games and was seated in the cheer squad bay for Saturday’s win over Western Bulldogs, acting as a committee member of the club’s official cheer squad.
She has a reputation for firing up her fellow supporters, often singing chants to inspire the players.
While her commitment to the supporter group has seen her work as assistant treasurer and fundraising manager, organising raffled and other initiatives.
In 2018 she was named female Fan of the Year by the AFL Fans Association.
After that win she said: “For big games… I dress up in over-the-top clothes to show my Crows colours.”
That is just what she did for the elimination final against Bulldogs, but her appearance sparked accusations of blackface.
“I just thought it would be more realistic (to paint black on her skin), that’s why I’ve got black gloves as well,” McKaye told The Adelaide Advertiser.
“So I’m dressed like the mascot Claude the crow.
“A lot of people have thought the costume was cool and have asked to get photos with me.”
McKaye was defended by the president of the Crows supporter group Peter Kauschke.
“It’s sad about all the comments,” he said.
“However, yes, she purchased a costume and replicated Claude the Crow. She had the red bow due to the headpiece coming off.”
Originally published as Adelaide Crows at centre of black face paint controversy revealed as superfan