Scrutiny Increases On Rajon Rondo After Referee Targeted With Slur Comes Out As Gay
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A referee who was the target of a gay slur from Sacramento Kings point guard Rajon Rondo told Yahoo Sports he is gay.
Rondo was already suspended last week by the NBA for the Dec. 3 incident that came after he was ejected. He will miss Tuesday night's home game against the Houston Rockets.
But Monday was the first disclosure of what Rondo said to referee Bill Kennedy.
The news came as a surprise to Kings head coach George Karl.
"This is all new to me," he said. "An hour or two ago is the first time. I haven't even read the story yet. I haven't read what was said except for secondhand information. For me to comment on that would not be fair to the situation.
General Manager Vlade Divac says what Rondo said is out of character for the player.
"I know him. We talked about it and he feels bad and didn't mean to offend anybody," he said. "He just said something that is unacceptable."
Rondo also posted a statement to Twitter.
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
Kings owner Vivek Ranadive also apologized to Kennedy.
The executive director of Sacramento's LGBT Community Center says they will take a wait-and-see approach to Rondo's apology.
"We definitely believe the Kings meant what they said and we hope that the player meant what he said as well," Don Bentz said.