Rondo: Slurs at NBA ref 'don't reflect my feelings toward LGBT community'
Just hours after NBA official Bill Kennedy publicly came out as gay, Sacramento Kings point guard Rajon Rondo addressed the homophobic comments he made to the veteran official that netted him a one-game suspension from the league.
"My actions during the game were out of emotion and frustration, period!" Rondo tweeted Monday evening.
"They absolutely do not reflect my feelings toward the LGBT community. I did not mean to offend or disrespect anyone."
Rondo was ejected with a double-technical foul on Dec. 3 against the Boston Celtics in Mexico City after berating Kennedy and refusing to leave the floor.
The league conducted an investigation into the incident, eventually confirming the 29-year-old directed a series of homophobic remarks Kennedy's way.
Related: NBA ref comes out as gay following reported homophobic slurs from Rondo
"I am proud to be an NBA referee and I am proud to be a gay man," Kennedy told Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.
"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."
It remains to be seen if the four-time All-Star will apologize to Kennedy directly, as his tweets didn't mention the referee by name. Kings GM Vlade Divac plans to reach out to the official, according to the Sacramento Bee's Jason Jones.
Rondo's suspension will go into effect Tuesday night when Sacramento hosts the Houston Rockets.