Mary Fowler’s ‘Bloom’ Memoir Unearths Shocking Racism & Player Mistreatment at Montpellier: A Story That Makes You Go #SMH

Matildas sensation Mary Fowler has just released her memoir, ‘Bloom,’ and the football world is collectively shaking its head in disbelief. Within its pages, Fowler bravely details harrowing experiences during her time at French club Montpellier in 2022, alleging incidents of racism and severe mistreatment concerning her health. These shocking revelations highlight the unseen battles many athletes, particularly women of color, face in professional sports, prompting an immediate #SMH reaction across social media and beyond.

The ‘Banana Incident’: A Disturbing Farewell

As her final season with Montpellier drew to a close, a seemingly innocuous locker room gesture turned into a stark symbol of alleged racial discrimination. While other departing teammates were presented with farewell flowers, Fowler and a fellow international player — both among the few Black women in the squad — received nothing. The confusion quickly escalated.

“Afterwards, when we got inside the changing room, some of our teammates questioned why we hadn’t received any flowers. We shrugged our shoulders, just as clueless as they were,” Fowler recounts in ‘Bloom.’ “A few of the girls laughed about it and then one of the other players came over and handed my friend and me some bananas, saying, ‘Here, have these.’ That was the cherry on top.”

For Fowler, this was no simple oversight. “Not receiving flowers was one thing, but as two of only six black girls in the squad, receiving bananas wasn’t something I could laugh off and forget about,” she states, reflecting on the painful memory. Despite trying to rationalize it as an honest mistake, the cumulative weight of similar past experiences at the club made it impossible to ignore the underlying prejudice. The incident, for many, is a stark reminder that covert acts of racism continue to plague football and sports culture globally.

Beyond the Pitch: Allegations of Medical Mistreatment

Fowler’s struggles at Montpellier extended beyond racial insensitivity to serious concerns about her physical well-being. She claims that club staff accused her of feigning chest pains, despite Matildas staff having already alerted them to a potential health issue. A physio conveyed to Fowler that coaching staff believed she was fabricating her symptoms to avoid playing.

“I couldn’t believe what I was hearing,” Fowler writes. “Frustrated, I told him I wasn’t making it up, that I’d never make up something that could be related to my heart.” The lack of empathy was palpable, pushing Fowler to take a firm stand: “If you’re not going to look after me then I’m going to look after myself. I’ll be at the game, but I won’t be putting my boots on.”

This alleged disregard for a player’s health is a deeply troubling aspect of her experience, underscoring the critical need for robust athlete welfare protocols in professional sports. Eventually, Fowler was allowed to miss the game, and subsequent medical checks cleared her of a heart condition, attributing the issue to muscular or skeletal causes. “I’m very grateful that it’s not something that ended my career,” she shares, a statement that speaks volumes about the anxiety she faced.

‘Bloom’: A Memoir of Resilience and Call for Change

Mary Fowler’s ‘Bloom’ is more than just a football memoir; it’s a powerful testament to resilience in the face of adversity. Beyond these specific incidents, the book delves into the extensive challenges Fowler has navigated in her young career, including a pattern of self-harm she has courageously worked to overcome. Her story sheds light on the immense pressure young athletes endure and the vital importance of mental and physical support systems within professional sports environments.

The revelations from ‘Bloom’ are a stark reminder that while the beautiful game captivates millions, it can also harbor darker currents of discrimination and neglect. Fowler’s courage in sharing her truth serves as a critical call to action for clubs and sporting bodies worldwide to re-evaluate their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and comprehensive player welfare. Her experiences at Montpellier, prompting many to shake their heads in dismay (#SMH), demand attention and concrete steps towards a more equitable and supportive future for all athletes.