On Monday, Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo released a statement saying that he “did not mean to offend or disrespect anyone” when he called gay NBA referee Bill Kennedy a f****t during a Kings game against the Celtics on Dec. 3. As our Tom Ziller and many others noted, that statement did not contain the words “sorry,” “apology” or anything close to the sort.
Rajon Rondo issues second statement actually apologizing for anti-gay slur
The Kings guard realized his previous non-apology for directing an anti-gay slur toward referee Bill Kennedy was insufficient and offered a second one that expressed more remorse for his actions.
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Thus, Rondo offered a new statement clarifying that he is actually sorry for his actions.
“Yesterday, I said my words toward Bill Kennedy were unacceptable and did not reflect my feelings toward the LGBT community,” Rondo said. “Some have interpreted my comments as a non-apology. 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.”
Rondo’s first statement was very similar to Kobe Bryant’s initial non-apology when he directed an anti-gay slur at official Bennie Adams in 2011. Bryant has become an outspoken advocate for tolerance since. Rondo has the opportunity to do the same and help repair the damage his words caused.
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