Hardaway Announces "I Hate Gay People."
When asked about a gay person playing in the NBA, Hardaway responded by saying, "First of all I wouldn't want him on my team. Second of all, if he was on my team I would really distance myself from him because I don't think that's right and I don't think he should be in the locker room when we're in the locker room." When the radio host accused Hardaway of coming off as homophobic, Hardaway responded, "Well, you know, I hate gay people. I let it be known I don't like gay people. I don't like to be around gay people. I'm homophobic. It shouldn't be in the world, in the United States, I don't like it." Hardaway's comments were prompted by the mention of John Amaechi, a former NBA player who recently disclosed his status as a homosexual.
Amaechi was a player in the NBA for five years and played when Hardaway was an active player. The two players did not play on the same team at any time throughout their careers.
Hardaway later apologized for his comments during a live telephone interview with WSVN. He stated, "Yes, I regret it. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said I hate gay people or anything like that. That was my mistake."
Fan reaction to Hardaway's comments has been mixed. At the Inside Hoops message board, "yobore" posted the story and followed it up with the following comment: "He will be remembered for this now. Some athletes you wish could just keep their mouths shut." This comment, though, was countered by others showing support for Hardaway, even going so far as to congratulate him on his comments.
Video of the incident is already available on YouTube, a popular internet video website. The video is taken from a South Florida newscast and includes audio of Hardaway's comments.
Tim Hardaway played in the NBA from 1989-2003. He played for the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers. He averaged 18 points and three rebounds per game. In his position as point guard, he also averaged 8 assists per game. Hardaway was one of the most popular players in the NBA for several years and competed in five all-star games, most recently in 1998.
Sources
http://cbs4.com/local/local_story_045205258.html
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2766213
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElT9T4YD98w
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hardati01.html
http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/
Published by Hilary Mathis
Hilary has studied English for eight years. She loves to write and is working to turn her hobby into a career. View profile
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1 Comments
Post a CommentWhile I defended Isaiah Washington's right to call another cast member a fag, and while I also defend Hardaway's right to say anything dumbass thing he wants, I think it's perfectly right of the NBA to punish Hardaway for this. Why? Well, what if it had been a white player saying "I hate black people" or what if Hardaway himself had said he hates white people. And can you even possibly imagine the outcry if Yao Ming had said "I hate Americans"? There's a subtle difference between true unprovoked hate language--which Hardaway expressed--and the kind of provoke heat-of-the-moment outbursts of the type Michael Richards and Washington (maybe) engaged in. Hardaway definitely has a problem, but the sad thing is that problems is more than likely shared by 90% of his NBA peers.