But rather than condemn those responsible for such slurs, he said it was more important to educate the people involved.
More than a decade has passed since Nicky Winmar and Michael Long stood up against racist comments from spectators and opponents but Goodes said he had heard similar slurs in the past five years.
Speaking as the Swans held a light session at the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence in Redfern on Monday, Goodes was quizzed on his reaction to the news that NRL star Timana Tahu had quit the NSW State of Origin camp after overhearing a racist comment from assistant coach Andrew Johns.
He praised Tahu's stand and said that in many cases, the perpetrator was unaware of the impact of their words.
"I definitely know in my instances, having dealt with them after getting an apology from them, is that they didn't really think it was offensive to call someone that," Goodes said on Monday.
"It is a little bit about educating them as well as standing up for your own rights, your own beliefs and what hurts you."
Goodes said he would have no hesitation in again speaking out if he was the target of racially-offensive banter.
And he said that AFL players played an important role in educating others sports people and the wider community in general.
"It still happens in society. We can't sit back and think sport's changing [it, but] we like to think we are changing a lot of mindsets. We're trying to be the role models for behaviour for younger players and people out there playing sport," Goodes said.
"What happened on the weekend just shows us that we are on track but there are people who still don't know what offends people.
"It was good of Andrew to come out and apologise the way he did and take responsibility for his actions, because that's part of it. You have to accept that what you did say did offend someone and that's an important thing."
