Someone obviously knew. Thats why this is now another issue in a long list of issues. To answer your question, i cant remember a time one of the stars of a game who has had something, an arm band, strapping, something with initials on it, is on tv and the commentators and media, before, during, or after, havent mentioned what it is for or what it represents.
Look i agree the way the NRL have handled it is a bit rough. Targetting him when you got others like Hayne and other big name players consorting with crims on social media, and Semi throwing hands at his wife (alledgedly).
But with his track record, the scrutiny he was already under for on and off field behaviour, it was a poor choice, and he had to know the risk he was taking.