Chicago Bull Joakim Noah apologizes for gay slur (Video)
Sun. May 22, 2011 11:36 PM by GoPride.com News Staff
joakim noah shouts gay slur at a fan
photo credit // tnt
Bulls center Joakim Noah likely faces fine after shouting gay slur at fan
Miami, FL -
Chicago Bulls star Joakim Noah apologized on Sunday night for hurling a gay slur at a fan during Sunday's 96-85 loss to the Miami Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.
About six minutes into the game, Noah committed his second foul of the night.
He sat down on the bench and turned to a fan, saying: "F*** you, f*****t."
The comment was not audible, but if you watch the video below, his words are clear.
"I got caught up," Noah said after the game. "A fan said something. And I said something back. I apologize. I don't mean no disrespect to anybody. I just got caught up."
The NBA is trying to maintain a no-tolerance policy on anti-gay rhetoric. Earlier this season, Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 for using the same slur.
It's not clear what the league is going to do this time, but Noah says he expects to be fined.
And the league is also participating in a new awareness campaign, with stars like Grant Hill recording ads that say: "Using 'gay' to mean dumb or stupid? Not cool. ... And you're better than that."
Just last week, Phoenix Suns president and CEO Rick Welts came out gay, becoming one of the highest-ranking executives in the sports to do so.
About six minutes into the game, Noah committed his second foul of the night.
He sat down on the bench and turned to a fan, saying: "F*** you, f*****t."
The comment was not audible, but if you watch the video below, his words are clear.
"I got caught up," Noah said after the game. "A fan said something. And I said something back. I apologize. I don't mean no disrespect to anybody. I just got caught up."
The NBA is trying to maintain a no-tolerance policy on anti-gay rhetoric. Earlier this season, Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 for using the same slur.
It's not clear what the league is going to do this time, but Noah says he expects to be fined.
And the league is also participating in a new awareness campaign, with stars like Grant Hill recording ads that say: "Using 'gay' to mean dumb or stupid? Not cool. ... And you're better than that."
Just last week, Phoenix Suns president and CEO Rick Welts came out gay, becoming one of the highest-ranking executives in the sports to do so.