Famous AFL fan reveals why he RELUCTANTLY got rid of his 'good luck' swastika tattoo
One of the AFL 's most hardcore and flamboyant fans has revealed why he's reluctantly covered up his swastika tattoo, insisting that only ignorant trolls think it's a Nazi symbol.
Troy 'Catman' West has been one of the Geelong Cats ' most recognisable fans for many years with his exuberant costumes and make-up.
The Cats diehard took to social media over the weekend to announce that he was covering up his swastika tattoo with a 'black sun'.
'To the fwits saying I have/ had a Nazi tattoo design,' his post began.
'Pardon your ignorance but the swastika is a 3000-year-old ancient symbol and I was with the Hari Krishnas (sic) back in the 90s and my tattoo is Hindu and it means good fortune, good luck and good health.
'Only dumb ignorant trolls think it's a Nazi symbol.'
West says his tattoo is Hindu and it means 'good fortune, good luck and good health'
West said he had the ink covered up because former Victorian premier Dan Andrews banned the symbol.
'Neo Nazi swastikas I agree with (banning)' wrote West.
'But not the religious Hindu swastika. They need to separate that!
'Doesn't matter now. It's gone and I have replaced it with a black sun.'
West made headlines in 2021 after revealing the heavy abuse he copped for being 'openly gay, confident and loud'.
Reduced to breaking point, West shocked fans by severing all ties with the Geelong cheer squad and football club.
The son of late 1963 Cats premiership player Roy West opened up on the 'hellish time' he has endured in a lengthy and emotional statement on Facebook.
'I don't want to be around negative influences and I feel I need to take control of the Catman persona that I've worked hard to create,' his 1100-word post began.
'I'm an openly gay, confident, loud, abrasive, energetic, creative, colourful and popular person and that sometimes isn't what some sections of the community like.
'I've grown up surrounded by homophobia, prejudice and being targeted. I'm at a stage in my life where I don't think I should be around elements of that nature. In ANY area of my life.'
West told Nine News: 'I don't think I deserve it just for being a crazy cat.'
'And I don't deserve the hatred I get from people who don't even know me or have never interacted with me.'
Though West acknowledged his high profile gave him many incredible opportunities, he also copped constant hate on online footy forums.
'It's not fun when a video of me goes viral and I read through 20,000 comments of absolute hate, abuse, homophobia, discrimination, and the worst things imaginable you can say to people,' he added.
'I just don't get why people can hate me so much when they don't know me.
'I struggle to adapt to the new cancel culture that's insidiously infiltrated society. There are just too many people out to get me.
'I no longer wish to be under such scrutiny.'
West said it was a difficult and heartbreaking decision to step away from the spotlight.
He vowed to continue attending Cats games as a general supporter but hinted at a possible fallout by claiming he'd never been supported or protected.
'For my own sanity, I need to move on,' West wrote.
'I have lost my passion for the game, for Catman and I struggle to even get to games at the moment. I feel like burning my Catcave to the ground.
'I love this club so much but unfortunately they don't love me back in return.'
West revealed he was self-medicating to sleep and retaliating to some of the online backlash he's copped.
'I don't like the person this anger has turned me into,' he continued.
'I'm a very warm and funny person in real life and these problems have made me into a bitter raging bull.
'I've hurt friends and family with my anger and fallen out with many people. It has to stop. I want the lovely Troy back in my life. And yours.
West urged friends and fans to give him the time and space he needs to come to terms with the fallout.
'I'm strong and resilient. I am Catman, hear me roar!' the powerful post ended.
West's father Roy West was one of the Cats biggest stars in the Victorian Football League in the early to mid 1960s.
The 108-game fullback won the 1961 Carji Greeves Medal for Geelong's best and fairest player and won a premiership with the club in 1963.
West Sr also represented Victoria on two occasions and sadly lost a year long battle with lung cancer in 2011 aged 70 just weeks after Geelong won the premiership.
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