NBA Referee Bill Kennedy Reveals He’s Gay
NBA referee Bill Kennedy revealed he’s a proud gay man following an incident where Sacramento Kings point guard Rajon Rondo hurled gay slurs at him.
Kennedy ejected Rondo from a December 3 game against the Celtics in New Mexico. That’s when Rondo completely lost his cool and called the ref a “motherf**king f***ot.”
In an interview with Yahoo! Sports, Bill Kennedy stated, “I am proud to be an NBA referee, and I am proud to be a gay man. I am following in the footsteps of others who have self-identified in the hopes that will send a message to young men and women in sports that you must allow no one to make you feel ashamed of who you are.”
Via the Bleacher Report:
Rondo was suspended one game for his conduct and refusal to leave the court immediately after Kennedy, 49, assessed him consecutive technical fouls in the aforementioned contest. Other game officials witnessed Rondo’s unsavory antics.
The NBA conducted an investigation on the incident involving Rondo and Kennedy; National Basketball Referee’s Association general counsel Lee Seham provided Wojnarowski with the official report filed by Kennedy and his crew.
Ben Taylor, a referee who worked the game with Kennedy in which Rondo was ejected, mentioned part of what the mercurial floor general said, including, “You’re a motherf–king f—-t. … You’re a f–king f—-t, Billy.”
Rondo denied ever making the inflammatory remarks when pressed by league officials but declined to speak to the media following Kennedy’s announcement. Upon hearing of the incident, Kings head coach George Karl noted that “Rondo’s homophobic comments were ‘out of character,’ a practice distraction, [and] he was ‘disappointed’ to hear it,” according to Yahoo Sports’ Marc J. Spears.
Kings general manager Vlade Divac told reporters Rondo “said something that’s unacceptable.” Divac also reached out to Kennedy and personally apologized on behalf of the franchise. Divac said Rondo will also apologize to Kennedy personally.
“Rajon’s comment was disrespectful and offensive and we wholeheartedly disapprove of any language that discriminates or disparages others based on sexual orientation or anything else,” the GM stated.
Rondo took to his Twitter account and issued what felt more like a statement rather than an apology.
My actions during the game were out of frustration and emotion, period!
— Rajon Rondo (@RajonRondo) December 14, 2015
They absolutely do not reflect my feelings toward the LGBT community. I did not mean to offend or disrespect anyone.
— Rajon Rondo (@RajonRondo) December 14, 2015
It’s crazy how he went from “I didn’t say it” to “I didn’t mean to offend anyone.”
The truth of the matter is Rondo DID intended to offend Kennedy. He could have called that man a million different things under the sun, but he chose a gay slur.
Rondo, I’mma let you finish….
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