Former West Coast Eagles footballer Mitch Brown and his partner, Lou Keck, have announced they are expecting their first child together.
Brown, who made headlines in August for coming out as the AFL’s first openly bisexual player, took to social media on Monday to share the happy news with his more than 31,000 Instagram followers.
“Something exciting coming October 2026,” he wrote in an Instagram post, alongside a video of the couple posing for photos in a photobooth with a positive pregnancy test.
Brown was also seen embracing and kissing his partner’s growing baby bump as the pair couldn’t contain their excitement.
While it’s set to be the couple’s first baby together, Brown already has two sons with his ex-wife, professional netballer Shae Bolton-Brown, who separated after 16 years.
Friends, fans and influencers flooded the comments section of the Instagram post, congratulating the couple on the new addition to their family.
Model Olivia Molly Rogers, who is also expecting a baby, said: “Omg, yay! Congratulations”.
One fan said: “Congrats, guys! Super happy for you.”
“Congratulations, beautiful people,” a third added.
The news comes after Brown made history when he revealed to The Daily Aus in August: “I played in the AFL for 10 years for the West Coast Eagles, and I’m a bisexual man.”
He courageously came out as the AFL’s first openly gay or bisexual player at the time in the hope of inspiring a national movement where “you can be anyone and be safe in any environment”.
Brown, who played 94 games for the Eagles between 2007 and 2016, was widely praised across Australia, with LGBTIQA+ advocates labelling his bravery a historic moment for the country and the league.
Just last Thursday, former Brisbane Lions player Leigh Ryswyk became the first current or former openly gay AFL player, sharing his story in a candid interview with Joy 94.9’s GayFL.
“To people who know me, this isn’t new,” Ryswyk said.
“I’ve been out for five years now. There will be people though… it will be the first time they know about this. I’m a very private person… and that’s fine. In the end, the people who are nearest and closest to me know, and that’s what’s most important.”
Brown posted a statement about Ryswyk, saying “it takes real courage to step forward and choose to live openly and honestly, especially when you come from environments that haven’t always made that easy. This is what bravery looks like.”“Every time someone is brave enough to speak their truth, it creates a shift.”
https://thewest.com.au/sport/afl/mitch-brown-afls-first-openly-bisexual-player-announces-partner-lou-keck-pregnant-with-first-child-together-c-22070985
