Kings’ Rondo issues 2nd apology to NBA ref Bill Kennedy

Sacramento Kings point guard Rajon Rondo issued a statement through the team on Tuesday seeking to clarify his apology to NBA referee Bill Kennedy for using an offensive slur during a game earlier this month.

Kennedy announced Monday that he is gay, less than two weeks after the incident took place on the court with Rondo, who received a one-game suspension from the league.

"Yesterday, I said that my words toward Bill Kennedy were unacceptable and did not reflect my feelings toward the LGBT community," Rondo said Tuesday. "Some have interpreted my comments as a non-apology. I want to be clear, from the bottom of my heart that I am truly sorry for what I said to Bill. There is no place on or off the court for language that disrespects anyone's sexual orientation.

"That is not who I am or what I believe and I will strive every day to be a better person."

Kennedy, who is in his 18th season as an NBA official, came out in an interview with YahooSports.

"I am proud to be an NBA referee and I am proud to be a gay man," Kennedy told the website. "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."

Rondo's suspension was for "directing a derogatory and offensive term towards a game official and not leaving the court in a timely manner upon his ejection." He received two technical fouls and was ejected from a game against the Boston Celtics in Mexico City on Dec. 3.

After the second technical, Rondo continued to berate Kennedy and reportedly used a gay slur while being pulled away by teammates.

Rondo declined to speak to reporters on Monday and addressed the situation later via his Twitter account.

"My actions during the game were out of frustration and emotion, period!" Rondo tweeted. "They absolutely do not reflect my feelings toward the LGBT community. I did not mean to offend or disrespect anyone."

Kennedy is the second NBA referee to come out in the past 18 months. Violet Palmer announced she was gay in the summer of 2014.