Izak Rankine: How Football Saved My Life After Childhood Trauma and Ban
Adelaide Crows star Izak Rankine has opened up in a candid interview, revealing that football saved his life following a traumatic childhood marked by foster care, homelessness, and involvement in crime. However, the 25-year-old midfielder admitted he nearly gave up on the sport after receiving a four-match ban at the end of the 2025 season for using a homophobic slur during a game against Collingwood.
A Childhood of Trauma and Survival
In a wide-reaching conversation with the Ausmerican Aces podcast, Rankine detailed growing up as one of seven siblings, experiencing early foster care, sleeping rough on the streets, and being separated from his family. He stated that these experiences led to mental health issues, including anxiety and depression.
"As a kid, I was fostered out early on in my life. And I think as you get older to my age now, 25 going on 26, that is when all those things start to affect you," he told the podcast. "You start to realise what you had to go through as a kid. In a lot of instances, I would see the carers come and grab me and remove me from the house. I can picture it now, just seeing my parents crying or seeing some of the other kids get taken from their families and have them crying and things."
Rankine described how survival often meant turning to drugs and alcohol, and he and his friends would sleep in parks or wander the city all night, foraging for change on the streets. He revealed that one sister struggled with addiction and spent time in rehab, while another family member went to jail.
From Crime to Football Stardom
The Crows star admitted that without football, he might have continued down a dangerous path. "If I didn't have footy or if I didn't have another light to look down, just like what else are you going to do?" he said. He confessed to engaging in criminal activities with friends, including breaking into houses and cars, and trying to rob people.
Rankine credited teachers and mentors for recognising his talent and guiding him towards football. He grew up playing for Edwardstown and Flinders Park before moving to SANFL side West Adelaide, where he was hailed as a "once in a generation type player" by former AFL national talent football manager Mick Ablett. He made his senior debut at just 16, kicking two goals.
Racism and Coping Through Sport
Sports became a crucial coping mechanism for Rankine, who played basketball, tennis, and football to escape his home life. He also faced significant racism during his school days, leading to fights as he stood up against abuse.
"Going through school was tough because I'm light-skinned. So my Nanna is black and has really dark skin. My nieces and nephews are really dark-skinned. You go to school where there's a lot of lighter people and the casual racism is crazy," he explained.
The 2025 Ban and Personal Reflection
After being drafted by Gold Coast Suns in 2018 and making his AFL debut in 2020, Rankine joined Adelaide Crows in 2023, helping them become minor premiers for the first time since 2017. However, his season was marred by a four-match ban for using a homophobic slur against Collingwood’s Isaac Quaynor, which he deeply regrets.
"There was no excuse. It was wrong and I take full responsibility," he said in September 2025. "I’m disappointed in myself and I know I have let a lot of people down. I want to apologise to anyone who I have hurt and offended."
In the podcast, Rankine admitted the suspension left him in a "very, very dark, very, very low place" and made him consider retiring. He completed self-reflection work, meditation, and journaling during his time away from the field.
"The turning point was just like obviously being at the bottom and just thinking: ‘I can either sit here, wave the white flag, just sit here and give up,’ because I wanted to retire. I wanted to finish," he shared. "Depression and things like that, I was dealing with that stuff already through my family and through the circumstances I was given."
Moving Forward with Pride
Rankine expressed pride in the personal growth he has achieved since the incident. "I put my hand up completely. It is something that I don’t live by. I don’t stand by," he said. "I'm very grateful for the people that were around me, the lessons I learned from that mistake and the person who has come out on the other side of the whole situation."
He concluded by apologising again and emphasising unity: "Just to say, I am sorry to anyone that I affected or caused any havoc to. Like I never meant to do that but all I can say is that, you know, I put my hand up and let's move forward together because we're on the same we're on the same side. We're on the same team."
