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NRL player Timana Tahu was honoured at Friday night's NAIDOC awards in Melbourne for taking a stand against racism in Australian sport.

The event was the culmination of the annual NAIDOC (National Aboriginal Islander Day Observance Committee) week, which recognises Indigenous contributors to Australian life.

Tahu quit the NSWs State of Origin squad last month, in protest to a racist remark made by then-assistant coach Andrew Johns.

Former racial justice commissioner, Tom Calma, paid tribute to Tahu's strength of character at the awards, stating "it epitomises what we should all be doing, and that is, not to take racism, not to take it on.

"We don't need to be violent, but what we need to do is to talk about the principle, stand up for the rights, and the right not to be discriminated against.

"Timana demonstrated that, when he selflessly challenged the system, he gave up his opportunity to represent the state in football, to be able to present a point, and that is that it's not acceptable to be able to be the victim, the receiver, of racism.

"For that, we acknowledge you, Timana."

Tahu says the comments left him no choice but to stand down, and he has no regrets, advising "I'd just like to thank everyone for supporting me, you know, the news got back to me that everyone was supporting me and supporting the cause.

"I'm not a man of few words, but I do everything by action, and this was the only way I could do it, but thanks a lot."

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