Tim Hardaway has apologized again (yeah, I believe him) for saying "I hate gay people" among other shocking anti-gay remarks during a radio interview earlier this week. But, he's pretty much screwed now. The NBA has banished Hardaway from All-Star weekend in Las Vegas where he was already making a series of public appearances on behalf of the league.
Among Hardaway's hateful comments were this: "You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known. I don't like gay people and I don't like to be around gay people. I'm homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States."
Hardaway left Vegas on Thursday.
"We removed him from representing us because we didn't think his comments were consistent with having anything to do with us," NBA Commisioner David Stern told reporters Thursday at the opening of a fan festival at a Las Vegas casino. Stern said he had not yet spoken with Hardaway but planned to.
Stern said a discussion about openly gay players could be part of future rookie orientation programs, but he doesn't see a need to address the league: "This is an issue overall that has fascinated America. It's not an NBA issue," Stern said, pointing to the ongoing debate over gay marriage at the state and federal levels. "This is a country that needs to talk about this issue. And, not surprisingly, they use sports as a catalyst to begin the dialogue."
Hmmmmm. Sounds like it IS an NBA issue, Mr. Stern.
Hardaway's comments came a week after John Amaechi became the first former NBA player to say he was gay. The disgraced former All-star and Olympian was attempting damage control on Thursday with a statement issued through his agent: "As an African-American, I know all too well the negative thoughts and feelings hatred and bigotry cause. I regret and apologize for the statements that I made that have certainly caused the same kinds of feelings and reactions...I especially apologize to my fans, friends and family in Miami and Chicago. I am committed to examining my feelings and will recognize, appreciate and respect the differences among people in our society. I regret any embarrassment I have caused the league on the eve of one of their greatest annual events."