NBA Ref Bill Kennedy Comes Out As Gay A new report on Yahoo! Sports reveals that NBA referee Bill Kennedy is gay . The news comes on the heels of an in-game homophobic rant by the Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo back in early December. “I am proud to be an NBA referee and I am proud to be a gay man,” Kennedy told Yahoo Sports on Sunday night. “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.” Commissioner Adam Silver applauded Kennedy in his effort to live his truth. “I wholeheartedly support Bill’s decision to live his life proudly and openly,” Silver told Yahoo Sports in a statement. “Throughout his 18-year career with the league, Bill has excelled as a referee because of his passion, dedication and courage. Those qualities will continue to serve him well both as a game official and as a positive influence for others. While our league has made great progress, our work continues to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and dignity.” As for Rondo’s hateful remarks: After Kennedy, 49, ejected Rondo with consecutive technical fouls in a Kings loss to the Boston Celtics, Rondo defied league protocol to immediately leave the court and began stalking Kennedy, who had retreated to a far sideline of the floor. In the game officials’ report used as part of the NBA’s investigation – which includes details provided to Yahoo Sports from National Basketball Referee’s Association general counsel Lee Seham – Kennedy and fellow referee Ben Taylor described Rondo’s post-ejection diatribe as including the statements: “You’re a mother——- fa**ot. … You’re a f—— fa**ot, Billy.” Seham reported that a third official, Bennie Adams, outside of hearing distance, “affirmed that Rondo aggressively pursued referee Bill Kennedy and had to be restrained by teammates and escorted off the floor by Sacramento team security.” Kobe got himself fined $100,000 for using the f-bomb toward a straight ref, Rondo got himself suspended for a game that will effectively cost him $86,300. Seem fair or nah? Image via YouTube
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Comin’ Out: NBA Ref Reveals He’s Gay After Rajon Rondo’s Angry Homophobic Rant
