NBA: Rondo apologizes for slur about gay referee

Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo, left, questions official Bill Kennedy (55) about a foul call during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, Nov. 27, 2015. The Timberwolves won 101-91. AP FILE PHOTO

LOS ANGELES, United States—Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo apologized Tuesday for using a homophobic slur during a game earlier this month to NBA referee Bill Kennedy, who came out in the wake of the controversy.

READ: NBA Referee reveals he is gay in wake of Rondo slur—report

Rondo was issued a one-game ban last week by the National Basketball Association for his remark during the December 3 game against the Boston Celtics in Mexico City.

“My words toward Bill Kennedy were unacceptable and did not reflect my feelings toward the LGBT community,” Rondo said Tuesday.

“I want to be clear, from the bottom of my heart, that I am truly sorry for what I said to Bill. 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.”

Kennedy, in his 18th season as an NBA referee, was confronted by Rondo after calling two technical fouls and ejecting him from the game. Teammates had to restrain Rondo.

On Monday, Kennedy told Yahoo Sports: “I am proud to be an NBA referee and I am proud to be a gay man.”

Rondo was contrite.

“My actions during the game were out of frustration and emotion, period!” he tweeted. “They absolutely do not reflect my feelings toward the LGBT community. I did not mean to offend or disrespect anyone.”

RELATED STORIES

Bryant fined $100,000 for gay slur

NBA veteran Jason Collins comes out as gay