NBA Suspends Rajon Rondo for Homophobic Rant Against Gay Referee

The NBA has suspended Rajon Rondo for one game after the Sacramento Kings guard launched into a homophobic rant against veteran referee Bill Kennedy, who recently announced he is gay.

Rondo also approached Kennedy in a threatening manner and failed to leave the court in a timely manner after being ejected from a Dec. 3 game against his former team, the Boston Celtics.

Kennedy came out as gay in a statement sent to Yahoo Sports on Sunday night. He is the second openly gay active NBA official along with Violet Palmer, as well as the third openly gay active official in pro sports, since MLB umpire Dale Scott is also gay.

Also Read: Azealia Banks Hurls Homophobic Slur at Flight Attendant During Airplane Meltdown (Video)

“I am proud to be an NBA referee and I am proud to be a gay man,” Kennedy said in his statement. “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.”

NBA commissioner Adam Silver offered his support for Kennedy in a statement sent to the entire league.

“I wholeheartedly support Bill’s decision to live his life proudly and openly. Throughout his 18-year career with the league, Bill has excelled as a referee because of his passion, dedication and courage,” Silver said. “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 Yahoo Sports, an NBA investigation revealed that Rondo called Kennedy “a motherfucking faggot” and “a fucking faggot” after receiving two technical fouls and subsequently being ejected from the Kings-Celtics game. A second referee confirmed the exchange, while game footage reveals that Rondo had to be restrained by teammates and escorted off the court by Kings security.

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Rondo, who will serve his one-game suspension Tuesday night against the Houston Rockets, took to Twitter to address the unfortunate incident.

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

NBA insider Bill Simmons wrote on Twitter that Rondo’s suspension was far too light, but the league was in a PR pickle, as it had never before suspended a player for language. In 2011, Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 for directing a homophobic slur against an official, while Joakim Noah later drew a $50,000 fine for the same offense.

Expect a public apology from Rondo, whose poor attitude drew him a one-way ticket out of Boston and has seen him bounce around the league the last couple of years.

My actions during the game were out of frustration and emotion, period!

– Rajon Rondo (@RajonRondo) December 14, 2015

They absolutely do not reflect my feelings toward the LGBT community. I did not mean to offend or disrespect anyone.

– Rajon Rondo (@RajonRondo) December 14, 2015

23 Ballplayer-Turned-Business Moguls in Honor of Dwayne Johnson's 'Ballers' (Photos)

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George Foreman
Forget the Thrilla in Manilla, the former Heavyweight Champion of the World made the most of his money selling Lean, Mean Grilling Machines -- raising the bar for celebrity-backed products the world over
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Oscar De La Hoya
A retired professional boxer who has won 10 world titles in six different weight classes, De La Hoya started Golden Boy Promotions in 2002, now one of boxing’s most active promoters
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Michael Jordan
Along with his game-changing endorsement deals, the best basketball player ever (sorry, LeBron James) is still in the game as owner of the Charlotte Hornets. Now 52, Jordan claims he can still beat all of his players 1-on-1. Either way, he owns them
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Venus Williams
The world famous tennis player was the first black American woman to become No.1. Although she is now No. 11, she became an interior designer in 2002 and founded V*Starr Interior, as well as designing fitness wear called EleVen
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Serena Williams
Venus' sister is currently ranked the No. 1 tennis player in the world, but that's not enough for her: She has developed a fashion/jewelry line, and is part owner of the Miami Dolphins with her sister Venus
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Tony Hawk
The greatest skateboarder of all time recognized that he wasn't going to be the top-ranked one when middle-aged. Hawk wisely turned his name and knowledge into even more dollar signs by starting skating-inspired apparel company, Birdhouse
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John Elway
Elway was a Super Bowl-winning QB for the Denver Broncos, where he now serves as General Manager and Executive Vice President of Football Operations. He also owns car dealerships, a steakhouse and an arena football team
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Dave Bing
This retired Hall of Fame basketball player went on to found Bing Steel, a processing company that earned him the National Minority Small Business Person of the Year award in 1984
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Roger Staubach
The Hall-of-Fame Dallas Cowboys QB has been raking in the Texas dough another way since retirement: real estate. His Staubach Co. was purchased in 2008 for $640 million
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Vinnie Johnson
Nicknamed "The Microwave," Johnson founded the auto supply company Piston Automotive in 1995
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Cal Ripken Jr.
Known as the "Iron Man," Ripken played for the Baltimore Orioles and later bought three minor league teams
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Chris Webber
Webber owns an investment firm, restaurants and real estate. Not bad for a five-time NBA All-Star
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Wayne Gretzky
"The Great One" proved that he is as adept in the food and beverage industry as he was on the NHL ice. Gretzky is a successful restauranteur and winery owner
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Magic Johnson
Earvin Johnson was "Magic" on the court -- and he still is in the boardroom. He now owns a movie theater chain and stake in a sports team ownership group. The Dodgers part-owner is currently trying to bring an NFL team back to Los Angeles
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Maria Sharapova
The tennis beauty probably doesn't eat a ton of candy, but she sure sells it. Sharapova owns Sugarpova, which sells "premium gummy candies." Yes, there are adorable edible mini-tennis balls
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Peyton Manning
You know all of those annoying Papa Johns commercials that the Peyton Manning salvages? There's a reason for those -- the Denver Broncos quarterback actually owns 21 of the franchise's pizza shops
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Shaquille O'Neal: (This basketball all-star owns a number of diverse businesses, ranging from gyms to burger franchises to a car wash and even a night club.
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Lenny Dykstra
He started a high-end jet charter company and magazine for professional athletes called the "Player's Club," and also owned a chain of car washes. Unfortunately, Dykstra was charged with credit card fraud, embezzlement, obstruction of justice, filed for bankruptcy and now a convicted felon
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LeBron James
In addition to dabbling in acting - he stars as himself in "Trainwreck" - James is part owner of a soccer team
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Arnold Palmer
Aside from the half-iced tea/half lemonade concoction named after him, one of the best and most-beloved golfers of all-time parlayed his name and talents to golf course design. Palmer also dabbles in hotels
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Dhani Jones
Former linebacker for the Giants, Eagles, Saints and Bengals, Jones started the BowTie foundation, which strives to "foster the personal development of the underdeveloped youth"
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Eddie George
Former running back for the Tennessee Titans, George majored in Landscape Architecture in college, which led to the founding of his company, EDGE
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Rick Mirer
Mirer played for the Seattle Seahawks, the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions, and now co-owns a Napa winery called Mirror Wine Company
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