Late last season, Dempsey was subjected to racial abuse on social media after laying a tackle on Richmond’s Brett Deledio.

The 28 year old called out the abuse and has since spoken of the impact it had on his family.

With teammates and coaches looking on, Dempsey was presented with the Anti-Defamation Commission’s Speaking Out Against Hatred award.

“It’s a real honour and privilege to be noticed for standing up to racism and bigotry,” Dempsey said.

“There was (a sense of) fear, with a lot of other incidents there is backlash for people standing up.

“I thought enough is enough and started to take my stand.

“I was ready to cop what was coming to me and the support of the football club and other people outside the football club – as in the AFLPA and the AFL itself – was second to none.”

Commission chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich said Dempsey was recognised because of the courage and conviction he showed.

“We believe it is very important for admired sportspeople like Courtenay to speak out whenever racism shows its ugly face,” he said.

“Sportspeople are the kind of role models that young people look up to.

“We need to remember there are many young people in schools and in the workplace that are being abused or being harassed because of their surname, their religion, their ethnic background.

“When you have someone like Courtenay who is loved and admired by so many stand up and say ‘I’m going to make a stand’… it gives inspiration to those people who are feeling alone.”

Earlier this year, Essendon joined forces with more than 315 of Australia’s leading businesses, sporting bodies and NGO’s to support the ‘Racism. It Stops With Me’ campaign.

Dempsey said it was important he spoke out for his family but also for his younger teammates in the early stages of their careers.

“I’m one of the elders here so I’ve got to look after the likes of Jake Long, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Shaun Edwards and Yestin Eades,” Dempsey said.

“With all of those young players coming through and having that role bestowed upon me is an honour and I’m privileged to take that on board.”

Dempsey said the backing he received from fans across the AFL community vindicated his stance.

“The support that I got from Essendon supporters – even the Richmond supporters – they were very helpful and very supportive of me and my family,” he said.

“That’s what encouraged me and made me confident enough to push it a little bit further.

“It (racism) is still going to be around no matter what we try to do, it’s just the education side of things we need to put upon the new generation.”