OT NBA referee Bill Kennedy reveals he is gay; Rajon Rondo made slur to him

[SlyPokerDog]

Bill Kennedy, one of the NBA's top referees, has revealed he is gay.

"I am proud to be an NBA referee and I am proud to be a gay man," Kennedy told Yahoo Sports on Sunday night. "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."

Kennedy declined further comment on his announcement.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver delivered a statement of support for Kennedy.

"I wholeheartedly support Bill's decision to live his life proudly and openly," Silver told Yahoo Sports in a statement. "Throughout his 18-year career with the league, Bill has excelled as a referee because of his passion, dedication and courage. Those qualities will continue to serve him well both as a game official and as a positive influence for others. While our league has made great progress, our work continues to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and dignity."

Kennedy's announcement comes in the wake of the NBA's suspension of Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo, who game officials, including Kennedy, heard unleash a disturbing torrent of anti-gay slurs following his ejection from a game on Dec. 3 in Mexico City.

After Kennedy, 49, ejected Rondo with consecutive technical fouls in a Kings loss to the Boston Celtics, Rondo defied league protocol to immediately leave the court and began stalking Kennedy, who had retreated to a far sideline of the floor.

In the game officials’ report used as part of the NBA's investigation – which includes details provided to Yahoo Sports from National Basketball Referee's Association general counsel Lee Seham – Kennedy and fellow referee Ben Taylor described Rondo's post-ejection diatribe as including the statements: "You're a mother------- faggot. … You're a f------ faggot, Billy."

Seham reported that a third official, Bennie Adams, outside of hearing distance, "affirmed that Rondo aggressively pursued referee Bill Kennedy and had to be restrained by teammates and escorted off the floor by Sacramento team security."

The three officials – Kennedy, Taylor and Adams – confirmed those reports in taped interviews conducted by NBA security on Dec. 4, Seham said.

Seham told Yahoo Sports: "The NBA referees stand by Bill Kennedy for the job he does and who he is. We stand against bigotry in all its forms."
In suspending Rondo on Friday, the NBA issued a statement saying that he had been punished for "directing a derogatory and offensive term towards a game official and not leaving the court in a timely manner."

Under typical NBA procedure in these cases, the league had two independent experts review the tapes of the confrontation, and they confirmed the referees' accounts on Rondo's language. This was part of the reason why the league took more than a week to make a ruling on Rondo's punishment.

During the league's investigation, Rondo denied he made the comments. After a Rondo spokesperson declined comment about the matter when reached by Yahoo Sports earlier Monday, Rondo admitted late Monday afternoon on Twitter he had made the slur, saying his actions "were out of frustration and emotion." Kings officials condemned Rondo's comments toward Kennedy.

Rondo is the third NBA player to be punished for the use of anti-gay slurs, but the first to be suspended. Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah was fined $50,000 during the 2011 playoffs for making a slur toward a heckling fan, and Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 for using an anti-gay slur toward a referee earlier that same season. Both players apologized for the comments.

Rondo – who is making $9.5 million this season – is suspended for Sacramento's game against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday. He will lose $86,300 in game salary for the suspension.

Kennedy is the second NBA referee to make a public announcement about being gay. Referee Violet Palmer revealed she is gay upon getting married to her longtime partner, Tanya Stine, in 2014

Across 18 NBA seasons, Kennedy has officiated 1,056 regular-season and 68 playoff games, including five NBA Finals games. For FIBA, he officiated in the 2010 world championships and the 2012 Olympics. He remains the only referee to work the NBA All-Star Game, NBA Finals and bronze-medal Olympic game in the same calendar year.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba-re...alleged-homosexual-slur-to-him-174255321.html

 

[HailBlazers]

 

[KingSpeed]

I like his quote. That is why coming out matters. When we come out, we send a message to other gay boys, girls, men, and women that it is okay to be yourself.

 

[Jade Falcon]

Good for the ref. As a Bisexual man, I'm glad more and more athletes are coming forward with confidence.

Does the league "need" to know; as in, "should those who are gay shove it down everyone's throat?" Boy....that's a loaded question.

On one hand, I understand some in the NBA not wanting to know/not wanting to hear it. And, in fact, I also believe that, at a certain level, we shouldn't bring it onto the court. At least, we shouldn't make it the defining social issue for the league. We already get that enough in the media; no need to bring it into sports. When we watch sports, we watch sports to be entertained, not to hear more "social justice" so to speak.

On the other hand, as someone who's had difficulty with my own sexuality when I was younger, I also understand the dynamics, emotionally/mentally/spiritually, that goes into making such a decision to be open about your sexuality. It IS a big decision, and not one that should be taken lightly.

I know that, for me, all I wanted was to be treated the same as everyone else. When I WAS treated differently, it was because of my hearing loss; not my sexuality. And that was the last thing I wanted.

I feel this is echoed by others in the LGBT community. Hopefully, Kennedy feels the same way, and isn't treated differently because of his sexuality.

EDIT: Thank you KingAlbert for pointing out my mistake, and my apologies to anyone I offended.

 

[KingSpeed]

Being open about who you are isn't "shoving it down everyone's throat." When Aminu announced he was having a baby, was he shoving his heterosexuality down everyone's throat? Of course not. One day, it won't matter if you're gay or straight. That day has not arrived. A 10 year old Southern gay boy who plays flag football needs role models right now. He needs to know its okay that he's gay and that being gay won't stop him or make it difficult for him to be a professional athlete if that is what he chooses to do. That is why Michael Sam and Jason Collins matter. That is why Bill Kennedy matters. More people need to come out and one day, it won't matter anymore. As I said, we're not there yet.

 

[KingSpeed]

Also Jade- you used a gay slur at the end of your post. You said Rondo can suck a dick as a way to say something negative about him. How we speak/write matters.

 

[Strenuus]

Being open about who you are isn't "shoving it down everyone's throat." When Aminu announced he was having a baby, was he shoving his heterosexuality down everyone's throat? Of course not. One day, it won't matter if you're gay or straight. That day has not arrived. A 10 year old Southern gay boy who plays flag football needs role models right now. He needs to know its okay that he's gay and that being gay won't stop him or make it difficult for him to be a professional athlete if that is what he chooses to do. That is why Michael Sam and Jason Collins matter. That is why Bill Kennedy matters. More people need to come out and one day, it won't matter anymore. As I said, we're not there yet.

I LOVE YOU!!!!!

 

[Jade Falcon]

Being open about who you are isn't "shoving it down everyone's throat." When Aminu announced he was having a baby, was he shoving his heterosexuality down everyone's throat? Of course not. One day, it won't matter if you're gay or straight. That day has not arrived. A 10 year old Southern gay boy who plays flag football needs role models right now. He needs to know its okay that he's gay and that being gay won't stop him or make it difficult for him to be a professional athlete if that is what he chooses to do. That is why Michael Sam and Jason Collins matter. That is why Bill Kennedy matters. More people need to come out and one day, it won't matter anymore. As I said, we're not there yet.

I didn't mean to suggest that, by being gay, one was shoving their sexuality down anyone's throat. Rather, I meant to suggest that those who are not gay and sensitive on the subject MIGHT feel that they were having it shoved down their throats.

Also Jade- you used a gay slur at the end of your post. You said Rondo can suck a dick as a way to say something negative about him. How we speak/write matters.

My mistake, thank you. I edited my post.

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

Way past gay. Watching that show Transparent on Amazon.

I've never been so uncomfortable watching a tv show and enjoying it at the same time.

 

[KingSpeed]

Way past gay. Watching that show Transparent on Amazon.

I've never been so uncomfortable watching a tv show and enjoying it at the same time.

I love that show. Can't wait for next season. Made me realize there are probably transgender people in my life that I don't know are transgender. Some of them pass very well.

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

I love that show. Can't wait for next season. Made me realize there are probably transgender people in my life that I don't know are transgender. Some of them pass very well.

We're a couple of episodes into season two. It can be so surprising. I was telling my wife how I remember Married With Children being protested when I was a teen.

I wish I could have shown people this back then.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

.

Does the league "need" to know; as in, "should those who are gay shove it down everyone's throat?"

Giggity giggity goo

 

[rasheedfan2005]

My question is since it is socially acceptable for black dudes to spout n word is it ok to call people f word if you are gay? If that's the case maybe we should make sure Ronda isnt gay before he is punished?

Just a little early morning trolling my friends.

I've always said I dont care what color you are or what sexual orientation you are, or what your religious preferences, or if you were born the opposite sex, or if you're a sad lonely democrat, or if God punished you by making you a woman, as long as you hate the lakers and love the blazers, I'd let you serve me a beer. Except the HCP of course... took our jerbs

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Being open about who you are isn't "shoving it down everyone's throat."

Why is it that Republicans use that phrase so much about homosexuality? It just make me think of this.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Rondo should know better.* As should both Kobe and Joakim Noah, who have previously got into trouble for "faggot". It's as if they feel they have to Thug It Up because that's not really what they're like. (I hope - I'm pretty sure Kobe and Noah aren't, and I thought better of Rondo.)


*(Well, everyone should, of course. What I mean is, I thought Rondo DID know better.)

 

[Rastapopoulos]

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Rondo should know better.* As should both Kobe and Joakim Noah, who have previously got into trouble for "faggot". It's as if they feel they have to Thug It Up because that's not really what they're like. (I hope - I'm pretty sure Kobe and Noah aren't, and I thought better of Rondo.)


*(Well, everyone should, of course. What I mean is, I thought Rondo DID know better.)

It's wrong, and I'm not trying to rationalize it whatsoever. But when these guys were kids thats what you would call people if you wanted a derogatory word. They've probably said it a million times and it's one of the first that rolls off the tongue because of how much they used it as kids.

Is it wrong? Absolutely. My guess is it will die off and no one will say it after the millenials die off.

Kinda like how baby boomers say "oriental" to this day

 

[Cippy91]

I don't care if anybody is gay or straight, whatever, I treat everybody the same. He says he's a "proud gay man" but it took rondo calling him a fag to come out. If he was so proud, he would of come out sooner and in this day and age when somebody comes out, it's highly embraced and I would say gay people actually have the upper hand on heterosexuals because everybody tries to be so progressive and a social justice warrior these days. Especially in Portland. I'm 24, I grew up calling my friends fags and a faggot but with a totally different meaning behind it. Never meant to offend gay people, we use it way differently and I still do it to my friends these days. I just don't see the issue here. I bet refs here players say very socially unacceptable things but nothing happens with them. Rondo meanwhile slips up and all of a sudden everybody think he's a homophobic bigot or whatever progressives call people these days. People need to lighten up, get a sense of humor. It's cool he came out but it's not a big deal

 

[illmatic99]

I don't care if anybody is gay or straight, whatever, I treat everybody the same. He says he's a "proud gay man" but it took rondo calling him a fag to come out. If he was so proud, he would of come out sooner and in this day and age when somebody comes out, it's highly embraced and I would say gay people actually have the upper hand on heterosexuals because everybody tries to be so progressive and a social justice warrior these days. Especially in Portland. I'm 24, I grew up calling my friends fags and a faggot but with a totally different meaning behind it. Never meant to offend gay people, we use it way differently and I still do it to my friends these days. I just don't see the issue here. I bet refs here players say very socially unacceptable things but nothing happens with them. Rondo meanwhile slips up and all of a sudden everybody think he's a homophobic bigot or whatever progressives call people these days. People need to lighten up, get a sense of humor. It's cool he came out but it's not a big deal

Slips up? Did you see the video of Rondo going after the guy?

 

[blue32]

Rondo's a douche, glad hes ejected. I don't care what sexuality you are either. But, everyone should just keep their god damned sexuality to themselves. Can we please have some privacy back in the world? Jesus. I do think though, that if they're going to start coming down hard on players using certain words they should extend that farther, to other slurs, including (but not limited to) the word "nigga" (and its other forms).

If you're going to be offended by shit and fine people, then stay consistent across the board and send a real message.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

But, everyone should just keep their god damned love life to themselves.

Your sexuality is not your "love life".

 

[Cippy91]

Slips up? Did you see the video of Rondo going after the guy?

Slips up as in saying the words he said. If he would of just said "fuck you" and got ejected nobody would care this much. It's not like he knew he was gay either. I highly doubt he would of chose those words to say if he knew. Faggot is a highly used word and not in the sense of putting down gay people, more so used by guys to each other.

 

[blue32]

Your sexuality is not your "love life".

Well then I am sorry, you social justice warrior you. I'll edit my post and fix it. Christ...

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I do think though, that if they're going to start coming down hard on players using certain words they should extend that farther, to other slurs, including "nigga".

If a player gets in a refs face and calls him "nigga" whether the ref is white or black I'm willing to bet he will get a technical. There is no double standard on words that will or won't get a player a technical or ejected.

 

[blue32]

If a player gets in a refs face and calls him "nigga" whether the ref is white or black I'm willing to bet he will get a technical. There is no double standard on words that will or won't get a player a technical or ejected.

"Willing to bet" doesn't equal a guarantee. So there absolutely still could be a double standard, and that is more likely than not.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Well then I am sorry, you social justice warrior you. I'll edit my post and fix it. Christ...

That's right, you scurry away and do that! Another victory over the Politically Incorrect!! Soon all will bow down to our secular humanist non-sexist, non-racist, pro-LGBQT agenda!!!

 

[blue9]

I don't care if anybody is gay or straight, whatever, I treat everybody the same. He says he's a "proud gay man" but it took rondo calling him a fag to come out. If he was so proud, he would of come out sooner and in this day and age when somebody comes out, it's highly embraced and I would say gay people actually have the upper hand on heterosexuals because everybody tries to be so progressive and a social justice warrior these days. Especially in Portland. I'm 24, I grew up calling my friends fags and a faggot but with a totally different meaning behind it. Never meant to offend gay people, we use it way differently and I still do it to my friends these days. I just don't see the issue here. I bet refs here players say very socially unacceptable things but nothing happens with them. Rondo meanwhile slips up and all of a sudden everybody think he's a homophobic bigot or whatever progressives call people these days. People need to lighten up, get a sense of humor. It's cool he came out but it's not a big deal

Shit, I thought it was only OLD white men with this uninformed point of view...

 

[blue32]

That's right, you scurry away and do that! Another victory over the Politically Incorrect!! Soon all will bow down to our secular humanist non-sexist, non-racist, pro-LGBQT agenda!!!

LOL -- Gear down big trucker...

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

That's right, you scurry away and do that! Another victory over the Politically Incorrect!! Soon all will bow down to our secular humanist non-sexist, non-racist, pro-LGBQT agenda!!!

http://www.businessinsider.com/colorado-college-student-suspended-for-a-yik-yak-post-2015-12


Funny cuz true? Rondo is lucky it isn't a year or two in the future. He might be jailed or kicked in a bottomless pit like in the good old days.

It's nice that people can still be assholes as long as they don't use a slur of some kind. For now.

 

[illmatic99]

One thing that pisses me off about all this that I think people are overlooking here, but Rondo DID NOT even apologize for this. Not once did he say sorry in his contrived, BS tweet. Try saying what he said in your workplace and keep your job the next day.