Stoudemire apologizes for homophobic comments meant as ‘jokes’
Though he declined to dismiss comments as humor when initially given chance, former NBA star now says he was kidding, offers to contribute to LGBT community
Former NBA star and current Hapoel Jerusalem basketball player Amar’e Stoudemire apologized Thursday for homophobic comments he made in a recent interview, saying he had been joking.
Stoudemire drew criticism Wednesday after telling an Israeli website he would avoid being near a gay teammate if he had one, in the locker room.
Apologizing Thursday morning, the former New York Knick admitted his remarks were “offensive,” but explained that the clip was part of a longer interview in which he attempted to give several humorous answers.
“Answers I gave were supposed to be a joke and I apologize profusely for offending,” said Stoudemire.
“I would love to have a dialogue to help and contribute to the challenges encountered by the LGBT community on a daily basis,” he added.
On Tuesday, the Israeli news site Walla Sport published a video in which they asked Hapoel Jerusalem players how they would handle having a gay teammate.
“I’m going to shower across the street, make sure my change of clothes are around the corner,” Stoudemire said in the clip.
Asked if he was joking in the video, Stoudemire said, “I mean, there’s always a truth within a joke.”
All of the other filmed teammates said they would not have a problem sharing a locker room with a homosexual athlete.
Hapoel Jerusalem also released a statement in the wake of an outcry over Stoudemire’s remarks, saying he had not intended to be malicious.
“Although it was clear from the start that he did not intend to harm, we regret the remarks. Hapoel has been and will continue to be a true home for all,” the team’s statement read.
The Israeli Basketball League said it regretted Stoudemire’s latest cracks and was convinced that most league players “do not and will not have a problem” playing with a gay member on the team.
On Sunday, Stoudemire was given the Martin Luther King Jr. Award for tolerance, sponsored by the State of Israel, the Jewish National Fund and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York.
At the Jerusalem award ceremony, Russell Robinson, CEO of the Jewish National Fund-USA, said, “Stoudemire has again set an example that sportsmanship supersedes nationality, ethnicity, or religious affiliation.”
A former all star in the NBA, Stoudemire, who claims Jewish heritage, announced in August that he would move to Israel to play for Hapoel, a rare move for a high-caliber player.
Five years ago, Stoudemire was slapped with a $50,000 fine for a homophobic message he sent to a fan on Twitter.
According to the New York Post, the fan had written to Stoudemire, “You better come back a lot stronger and quicker to make up for this past season, deada**.”
Stoudemire’s alleged reply was: “F***K you. I don’t have to do anything homo.’’ He apologized to the fan in a subsequent direct message.
Together with his wife Alexis, the star runs the Amar’e and Alexis Stoudemire Foundation which “improves the lives of at-risk youth through educational opportunities,” according to the foundation’s website.
Sue Surkes contributed to this report.