Bill kennedy gay

Veteran NBA Referee Billy

Divac said Rondo will also apologize to Kennedy personally. You're a f--king ft, Billy. While the world was not privy to Kennedy's sexual orientation at the time of the outburst, the retrospective context makes Rondo's alleged tirade all the more repugnant.

December 14, Retrieved December 14, ^ "Long-time Doc Rivers nemesis Bill Kennedy assigned to officiate tonight's Game 3". ^ a b "NBA referee Bill Kennedy reveals he is gay; Rajon Rondo alleged to have made slur to him". Throughout his year career with the league, Bill has excelled as a referee because of his passion, dedication and courage.

Rondo was suspended one game for his conduct and refusal to leave the court immediately after Kennedy, 49, assessed him consecutive technical fouls in the aforementioned contest. 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.

Retrieved December 14, ^ "Doc Rivers reportedly once used anti-gay slur against referee Bill. Upon hearing of the incident, Kings head coach George Karl noted that " Rondo's homophobic comments were 'out of character,' a practice distraction, [and] he was 'disappointed' to hear it," according to Yahoo Sports' Marc J.

Kings general manager Vlade Divac told reporters Rondo "said something that's unacceptable. Rondo eventually apologized via his Twitter account:. Matt Fitzgerald Dec 14, LeBron's cryptic money warning Bleacher Report 4h.

Bill Kennedy comes out

Yahoo Sports. Other game officials witnessed Rondo's unsavory antics. While our league has made great progress, our work continues to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and dignity. Bill Kennedy's announcement comes after the NBA suspended Kings guard Rajon Rondo for his homophobic comments in a Dec.

3 game. Longtime NBA referee, Bill Kennedy, has come out as gay after player Rajon Rondo of the Sacramento Kings allegedly shouted anti-gay slurs at him during a game on December 3. Ben Taylor, a referee who worked the game with Kennedy in which Rondo was ejected, mentioned part of what the mercurial floor general said, including, "You're a motherf--king ft.

We stand against bigotry in all its forms," Seham said, per Wojnarowski. Kennedy also spoke about his decision to come out publicly, per Wojnarowski: "I am proud to be an NBA referee, and I am proud to be a gay man. On behalf of the team, I apologize to Bill Kennedy for any harm this may have caused.

Those qualities will continue to serve him well both as a game official and as a positive influence for others. Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Billy Kennedy attended Arizona State University and began his career [ ]. I wholeheartedly support Bill's decision to live his life proudly and openly.

The disciplinary action taken in Rondo's case ought to set a precedent and more strongly discourage such hate speech in the future. Rondo denied ever making the inflammatory remarks when pressed by league officials but declined to speak to the media following Kennedy's announcement.

Longtime NBA referee Bill Kennedy revealed to Yahoo Sports Sunday night that he is gay, making him the second openly gay active NBA official after Violet Palmer's announcement in Referee Bill Kennedy #55 interacts with head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets.

The well-known NBA referee, Billy Kennedy, has no wife, as he has been part of the LGBTQ+ community long before coming out in His coming-out story made him the first openly gay male referee in the league.