Modern guys need to ‘toughen up,’ says veteran commentator Keith Quinn

Veteran broadcaster Keith Quinn has said modern guys need to “toughen up,” after jocks shed tears of joy this weekend.

The much-loved Kiwi commentator, who has had more than four decades behind the microphone, tweeted: “What’s going on with the bloke-ism?”

He then listed examples of athletes – Dustin Johnson, Lewis Hamilton and the Argentina rugby team – “crying to tears”, before saying “Harden up, boys of today.”

When he approached him ThingsSaid: “It was a pretty lighthearted tweet, that’s all.”

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“Anyone who knows me (knows) that I can be a little quirky sometimes.”

When asked if his comments were insensitive, in light of New Zealand’s high male suicide rates, he said: “I have nothing to add.”

The comments contrasted with those of Sir John Kirwan, who later took to Twitter to praise Argentine coach Mario Ledesma, following his team’s historic victory over the All Blacks.

Kirwan, who has campaigned for greater awareness of men’s mental health issues, said: “The highlight of the weekend was the team and Mario Ledesma crying, it made me cry. Beautiful”.

Quinn’s tweet sparked a strong backlash, with many people criticizing his comments.

Catherine Andy added: “We noticed that men were taking their own lives at an alarming rate and we decided that we would do something about it. So we made some mahi for men to talk about their emotions and know that it’s okay to cry.”

While Siobhan Waterhouse said that “old-fashioned views have no place” and that Quinn should consider male suicide rates in New Zealand, especially “on the basis of outdated expectations and pressure to be a certain way, like strong and manly. “.

Canterbury blogger Rob Glennie said: “It’s comments like this that are part of the Keith problem.”

All Blacks fan Stephen Galvan said Quinn was stuck in the 1950s.

Where to get help

• 1737, do you need to talk? Call toll free or text 1737 to speak with a trained counselor.

• Anxiety New Zealand 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389)

• Depression.org.nz 0800111757 or text 4202

• Kidsline 0800 54 37 54 for people up to 18 years old. Open 24/7.

• Life line 0800 543 354

• Mental Health Foundation 09 623 4812, click here to access your free resource and information service.

• Rural support trust 0800 787 254

• Samaritans 0800 726 666

• Suicide Crisis Helpline 0508 828865 (0508 SUPPORT)

• Supporting families with mental illness 0800 732 825

• thelowdown.co.nz Web chat, email chat or free text 5626

• What happens 0800 942 8787 (from 5 to 18 years old). Telephone advice available from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 23:00 hours and on weekends from 15:00 to 23:00. Online chat is available from 3 pm to 10 pm every day.

• Youthline 0800 376 633, free text 234, email [email protected], or find online chat and other support options here.

• If it’s an emergency Click here to find the number for your local crisis assessment team.

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