Bill Kennedy, one of NBA's top referees, admitted to being gay. His confession came after Rajon Rondo, the Sacramento Kings' guard leveled an anti-gay slur when he got ejected from the Kings' Dec. 3 game against the Boston Celtics.
"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."
Kennedy, 49, refused to elaborate on his announcement. NBA commissioner Adam Silver gave a statement of support for Kennedy.
"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."
Rondo got suspended for one game due to his conduct and refusal to leave the court immediately after Kennedy gave him consecutive technical fouls in the said game. Other game officials witnessed what Rondo did, according to Bleacher Report.
The league did an investigation on the incident involving Kennedy and Rondo. Lee Seham, National Referees Association general counsel, provided Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski with the final report filed by Kennedy and his crew.
Although Rondo denied the incident, Vlad Divac, Sacramento Kings' general manager, told reporters that their guard player "said something that's unacceptable." Divac reached out to the referee and personally apologized on behalf of the franchise and said that Rondo will also apologize to him personally.