Roy Hibbert Gay Slur [VIDEO]; NBA Player Apologizes, Contacts Openly Gay Basketball Player Jason Collins
Indiana Pacers player Roy Hibbert issued a public apology for using a gay slur and cursing during late-night news conference June 1, after his team won Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, USA Today reported.
When asked about playing defense on LeBron James, Hibbert replied:
"I really felt that I let Paul [George] down in terms of having his back, when LeBron was scoring in the post or getting to the paint because he stretched me out so much, no homo," he said.
Hibbert reached out Sunday morning to openly gay NBA player Jason Collins via Twitter to apologize for his remarks and told Collins he would like to have a discussion with him.
Collins became the first active male pro athlete in a major American sport to come out publicly as gay in April.
The NBA has not yet announced any punishment or fine for Hibbert.
Indiana scored 91-77 over Miami on Saturday, June 1, and regretted not assisting teammate Paul George more on defense against James during Game 3.
The Indiana Pacers released Hibbert's statement Sunday morning.
"I am apologizing for insensitive remarks made during the postgame press conference after our victory over Miami Saturday night," read the statement.
"They were disrespectful and offensive and not a reflection of my personal views. I used a slang term that is not appropriate in any setting, private or public, and the language I used definitely has no place in a public forum, especially over live television. I apologize to those who I have offended, to our fans and to the Pacers' organization," the statement read.
Hibbert was asked why he was voted at such a low rank for Defensive Player of the Year. He came in at number 10 in the Defensive Player of the year vote. The title ultimately went to Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies.Hibbert told the press that the players are "not on TV all of the time and reporters are the ones that are voting."
He said during the press conference that he was not bothered by his loss in the voting process and that he was okay with getting fined for his remarks.
Watch a video of Hibbert's press conference below.
