His niece Rachel Muir, speaking on behalf of the family, told The Courier her family had mixed emotions about the former St Kilda footballer opening up on the racial torment that scarred his life on and off the field.

They braced themselves for negativity for a man known to lash out in anger and were instead astonished by support from Ballarat and the wider football community, evident in donations tallying more than $100,000 to support his shoulder surgery.

"Mostly we are overwhelmed by the positive messages and people reaching out to either apologise or to send well wishes," Ms Muir said.

"People are apologising for their ignorance to his situation; their club's racist attitudes; and, for not speaking up against the racist remarks while they were in the footy crowd.

"We know Uncle's story too well and the effects that racism had on his life, his pain and suffering was also felt by the next generation."

Robert Muir spoke about family violence in his childhood and struggling to handle racial remarks in football in a long feature with ABC. He told how he was urinated on by a star Saints player in the showers after his first training session and humiliated when turning to teammates for support, only to find them laughing.

RELATED COVERAGE

The story detailed how Robert Muir was banned from playing football for two-and-a-half years for a tripping incident in Ballarat Football League in 1971 - umpires deemed it a "very savage kick", despite his opponent's protestations otherwise.

His club Ballarat Swans fought an appeal all the way to Victoria's Supreme Court.

The AFL, St Kilda and Ballarat Football Netball League have this week issued apologies for historic decisions and racism.

Ms Muir acknowledged the BFNL's apology and understood the board now was not involved in Muir's playing days. She said the challenge, particularly post pandemic, for the league was to prove this was no mere "tick and flick' but to keep working in stamping out racism, educating clubs, and promoting cultural awareness.

Robert's sister Jennifer has strong memories of leaving football games in tears after hearing the abuse directed at her brother. She was known for one smashing a hot, steaming pie into a man's face.

On reflection, Ms Muir said Jennifer felt her brother was a skillful player with potential to win a Brownlow Medal or help the Saints to a premiership had racist taunts not affected his game.

"(Hurt) doesn't just disappear because you told a bit of your life," Ms Muir said.

"We as a family have suffered for far too long. We are proud to carry the Muir name as it's the name of survival and but the stigma and disrespect we endured because of Uncle Robert's outbursts during his footy days will take more time to get over. At least we now can start to heal."

The Muir family wants Robert's derogatory "Mad Dog" label to gone. They call him Robert Muir, or Robbie, or even Bob.

Ms Muir encouraged people to remember the saying "don't judge a book by its cover": get to know someone, ask questions (even if uncomfortable) to offer a person a chance to open up or stay closed. But Ms Muir said it was also important to be prepared to listen.

"Education is the key for all to learn and understand Australian Aboriginal history. Once you are prepared to learn then you might understand the hurt and suffering Aboriginal people have and still endure today," Ms Muir said.

"Aboriginal Australia need to start the truth telling so that everyone understands and learns.

"There will always be people who don't wish to change their racist views and we hope that they will be the minority voice in this country."

Robert Muir's former club Ballarat Swans is also exploring ways to better pay tribute to his VFL/AFL career.