Rajon Rondo apologizes for calling ref a gay slur—for real this time
Rajon Rondo took a second shot Tuesday at apologizing for calling a ref a homophobic slur, after his initial statements on the event were criticized as not good enough.
“Yesterday, I said that my words toward Bill Kennedy were unacceptable and did not reflect my feelings toward the LGBT community. Some have interpreted my comments as a non-apology,’’ the Sacramento Kings point guard said in a statement.
“I want to be clear, from the bottom of my heart that I am truly sorry for what I said to Bill.’’ Rondo said. “There is no place on or off the court for language that disrespects anyone’s sexual orientation. That is not who I am or what I believe and I will strive every day to be a better person.’’
Rondo was suspended one-game after his outburst following his ejection from a Decemeber 3 game against his former team, the Boston Celtics. On Monday, NBA referee Bill Kennedy, the target of Rondo’s tirade, revealed he is gay in a Yahoo Sports article, which also reported that Rondo called Kennedy a “f—ing f—–.’’
Later Monday, Rondo tweeted that he “did not mean to offend or disrespect anyone’’ and that his “actions during the game were out of frustration and emotion.’’
Those statements were criticizedbymany in sports media as a non-apology.
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