NBA referee Bill Kennedy just came out of the closet per Yahoo Sports, and it looks like Rajon Rondo forced him too, after the Kings guard allegedly made homophobic slurs towards the official before being ejected.
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——- faggot. … You’re a f—— faggot, Billy.”
Kennedy made the announcement to Yahoo Sports Adrian Wojnarowski over the weekend, with the full blessing of Adam Silver.
“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.”
“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.”
According to Wojnarowski — the three officials who worked the game – Kennedy, Taylor and Adams – confirmed those reports of Rondo’s alleged slur in taped interviews conducted by NBA security on Dec. 4.
Rondo denied making the statement.