It has been almost four months since former NBA player Tim Hardaway effortlessly told a Miami radio station, "I hate gay people...I am homophobic. I
don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in
the United States." Benjamin Hochman, respected sportswriter with the Times-Picayune, catches up with the talented but disgraced athlete at Pre-Draft Camp in Orlando.
An "unapologetic and terse" Hardaway dismisses his homophobic rant as mere "comment":
"It was just a comment, that's what it was to me. It's over with. I don't think about it...Let bygones be bygones. A lot of people are putting their foot in their mouths...
"When you say something positive, they don't write anything positive in the paper. Whatever people say now is taken out of context. Everybody is blowing stuff up. What can you do? People in the media need to start writing positive stuff."
Hardaway's revisionism blames "the media" for the cultural tsunami that swept him into disfavor, but, the five-time All-Star holds no ill will against the NBA for banning him from the All-Star games. Maybe that's because he is unemployed and looking for a coaching position.
On the other hand, Hardaway is curiously tight-lipped when asked if he has any regrets about his "comment" and remarks, "My people told me I can't get into that." Why would an adviser instruct him to dismiss the "comment", but, refuse to admit any regret? Unless, of course, "his people" are lawyers and litigation is on the horizon. Good luck.
Hardaway's Comments Won't Soon Be Forgotten [TP]
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No Coming Out Party for Amaechi [R20]
"Tired of Having to Pretend" [R20]
He just needs a good man.
LOL!
Posted by: Bernie | 05 June 2007 at 14:21
Sure it is just a comment. And he probably doesn't think about it. But I am still sure he thinks about the fact the he "hates gays" and that it was a pretty dumb thing to say. I am sure he thinks about the consequences of it. He doesn't have to think about the act itself. He's feeling it!
Posted by: Billione | 06 June 2007 at 11:46
Just a comment? Oh, come on, man. Step up and take responsibility for yourself. I'm sure he would be singing a different tune if someone would have said some ethnic equivalency aimed in his direction.
Posted by: Tristan | 07 June 2007 at 03:28