Top > Sport > 2007 > February > 2007-02-20

Gays and Homophobes Make NBA Headlines

Former Golden State Warriors guard Tim Hardaway, once part of the fames Run TMC trio, has responded to the coming out of the closet remarks by another former NBA player, retired center John Amaechi, with his own anti gay remarks. Hardaway?s comments, made just before the All Star weekend began in Las Vegas, where league stars and basketball officials meet to celebrate the world?s best basketball league, had won him a ticket out of town.

Hardaway was turned away from invitations to participate and take part in any vents over the weekend. Although the gay center Amaechi, over whom the entire awkward discourse began, said he appreciated Hardaway?s honesty if nothing else, the league commissioner did not seem to appreciate them at all. ?We removed him from representing us because we didn`t think that his comments were consistent with having anything to do with us," NBA commissioner David Stern said to the press. Stern added that the issue of gays and gay athletes is of national importance, but might still be better addressed by the league by including it in the league`s mandated rookie orientation program.

Hardaway indeed left the city and returned to Miami. There, the following day, he repeated his comments to a radio show, admitting he was ?homophobic.? Apologizing later via a statement issued by his agent, Hardaway may have saved some face. He has, however, revealed the true face of many professional athletes and large parts of the nation by raising the issue.