The fallout from Rajon Rondo’s homophobic slur toward referee Billy Kennedy, who subsequently came out as gay, is getting worse. On top of being suspended for one game for calling Kennedy a “motherf**king f***ot,” Rondo’s now under fire for his weak 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
Rondo’s apology has been widely and swiftly condemned, with the harshest criticism coming from within the NBA from Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich.
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Full quote from Gregg Popovich on Rajon Rondo/Bill Kennedy situation pic.twitter.com/Cd3p3n5q3v
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) December 14, 2015
But while Rondo’s being criticized, and an older story about an encounter Kennedy reportedly had with Clippers coach Doc Rivers, in which Rivers allegedly also used a gay slur, the longer-range effects of Rondo’s “frustration” shouldn’t be overlooked.
Rondo’s rush to lash out with such words betrays the sentiment that gay athletes worldwide fear when they choose to remain in the closet. There is a reason there are so few openly gay athletes in American pro sports. Jason Collins and Michael Sam are rare exceptions, because, as Popovich said, there is still an undercurrent of ignorance in pro sports.
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Earlier this year Mets playoff hero Daniel Murphy had this to say about Oakland A’s GM Billy Bean. “I disagree with his lifestyle. I do disagree with the fact that Billy is a homosexual.”
In 2007, former All-Star Tim Hardaway was very blunt about his feelings about homosexuals.
"You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known," Hardaway said. "I don't like gay people and I don't like to be around gay people. I am homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States."
When Collins retired, he talked about “fear,” keeping others from being open.
“There are still no publicly gay players in the NFL, NHL or major league baseball. Believe me: They exist. Every pro sport has them. I know some of them personally. When we get to the point where a gay pro athlete is no longer forced to live in fear that he’ll be shunned by teammates or outed by tabloids.”
As positive as Collins and Sam have been for gay athletes, Rondo could be equally damaging. Next time, the NBA may want to consider harsher penalties for actions like his.
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