Rajon Rondo was suspended one game for using a derogatory and offensive comment against a referee earlier this month and for failing to leave the court in a timely fashion. Now we’re learning that Rondo used a gay slur at official Bill Kennedy, who came out publicly and announced he is gay.
“I am proud to be an NBA referee and I am proud to be a gay man,” Kennedy told Yahoo Sports. “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.”
Rondo was ejected from the Sacramento Kings’ Dec. 3 loss to the Boston Celtics in Mexico City. Rondo first was given a technical foul by Kennedy, and then he was ejected after following the official and saying more stuff to him.
When interviewed by the league about the matter, Kennedy said Rondo used gay slurs at him. “You’re a mother——- f—-t. … You’re a f—— f—-t, Billy,” Rondo supposedly said.
The other two officials confirmed the remarks.
Rondo is at least the third player punished by the league for using that anti-gay slur. Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 and Joakim Noah $50,000 for using the same slur during games.
