You have to see the irony. So many players we could all mention have managed to wriggle out of consequences or pay fines and time to get back in the good books, players who have brought their own name into disrepute if not the game, but a player who everyone agrees has been a glowing and honourable representative of the sport on field and in his sporting conduct off it, stands condemned for preaching a religious belief. The NRL's chairman even said he wasn't of good enough reputation to be allowed into League when League has had an unending roll call of disgrace.
Even more ironic, his views are shared by millions if not billions around the world, many of them by people of a different faith. I can't help wondering how many people calling for Israel Folau's dismissal are also people who are quick to accuse others of religious phobias and intolerance. I fear some of us are not terribly good at tolerating views other than our own.
It wasn't that long ago our country cruelly punished homosexuality, but with time and a willingness to tolerate things we don't agree with, we came to better views.
That's the thing about tolerance, it isn't really tolerance if you agree with it.