Roy Hibbert apologizes for post-game gay slur

[CelticConcourse]

Hibbert ended a response to a question about his defense on LeBron James with "no homo." Hibbert had drawn a key charge on James in Indiana's 91-77 victory against Miami on Saturday and lamented not providing enough help to teammate Paul George on James in Game 3.

In the statement, Hibbert said he sincerely has "deep regret over my choice of words last night."

"I am apologizing for insensitive remarks made during the postgame press conference after our victory over Miami Saturday night," read the statement, released by the Pacers Sunday morning. "They were disrespectful and offensive and not a reflection of my personal views. I used a slang term that is not appropriate in any setting, private or public, and the language I used definitely has no place in a public forum, especially over live television. I apologize to those who I have offended, to our fans and to the Pacers' organization."

Hibbert had earlier in the morning reached out to Jason Collins via Twitter. Collins made headlines in April when he became the first active male pro athlete in a major American sport to come out publicly as gay.

"Hey can I get a follow," the tweet read. "Would like to discuss something's with you."

Whoops. I didn't even know that was a slur.

[diconzo]

Hibbert ended a response to a question about his defense on LeBron James with "no homo." Hibbert had drawn a key charge on James in Indiana's 91-77 victory against Miami on Saturday and lamented not providing enough help to teammate Paul George on James in Game 3.

In the statement, Hibbert said he sincerely has "deep regret over my choice of words last night."

"I am apologizing for insensitive remarks made during the postgame press conference after our victory over Miami Saturday night," read the statement, released by the Pacers Sunday morning. "They were disrespectful and offensive and not a reflection of my personal views. I used a slang term that is not appropriate in any setting, private or public, and the language I used definitely has no place in a public forum, especially over live television. I apologize to those who I have offended, to our fans and to the Pacers' organization."

Hibbert had earlier in the morning reached out to Jason Collins via Twitter. Collins made headlines in April when he became the first active male pro athlete in a major American sport to come out publicly as gay.

"Hey can I get a follow," the tweet read. "Would like to discuss something's with you."

Whoops. I didn't even know that was a slur.

It really isn't, but if he didn't apologize some lunatic would try to sue him for millions. Sad, but true.

[thirstyboots18]

Hibbert ended a response to a question about his defense on LeBron James with "no homo." Hibbert had drawn a key charge on James in Indiana's 91-77 victory against Miami on Saturday and lamented not providing enough help to teammate Paul George on James in Game 3.

In the statement, Hibbert said he sincerely has "deep regret over my choice of words last night."

"I am apologizing for insensitive remarks made during the postgame press conference after our victory over Miami Saturday night," read the statement, released by the Pacers Sunday morning. "They were disrespectful and offensive and not a reflection of my personal views. I used a slang term that is not appropriate in any setting, private or public, and the language I used definitely has no place in a public forum, especially over live television. I apologize to those who I have offended, to our fans and to the Pacers' organization."

Hibbert had earlier in the morning reached out to Jason Collins via Twitter. Collins made headlines in April when he became the first active male pro athlete in a major American sport to come out publicly as gay.

"Hey can I get a follow," the tweet read. "Would like to discuss something's with you."

Whoops. I didn't even know that was a slur.

It really isn't, but if he didn't apologize some lunatic would try to sue him for millions. Sad, but true.

Yes it is.  The use of any word to put someone down, make fun of him, or show disrespect  is a slur.  For example, there is nothing wrong with the word tool, but when someone is called a tool it becomes a disparaging comment.

[Celtics4ever]

It was a stupid thing to say but it's not a big deal to me.  But certain people will take this and run with it and make themselves bigger fools than Hibbert.

[diconzo]

Hibbert ended a response to a question about his defense on LeBron James with "no homo." Hibbert had drawn a key charge on James in Indiana's 91-77 victory against Miami on Saturday and lamented not providing enough help to teammate Paul George on James in Game 3.

In the statement, Hibbert said he sincerely has "deep regret over my choice of words last night."

"I am apologizing for insensitive remarks made during the postgame press conference after our victory over Miami Saturday night," read the statement, released by the Pacers Sunday morning. "They were disrespectful and offensive and not a reflection of my personal views. I used a slang term that is not appropriate in any setting, private or public, and the language I used definitely has no place in a public forum, especially over live television. I apologize to those who I have offended, to our fans and to the Pacers' organization."

Hibbert had earlier in the morning reached out to Jason Collins via Twitter. Collins made headlines in April when he became the first active male pro athlete in a major American sport to come out publicly as gay.

"Hey can I get a follow," the tweet read. "Would like to discuss something's with you."

Whoops. I didn't even know that was a slur.

It really isn't, but if he didn't apologize some lunatic would try to sue him for millions. Sad, but true.

Yes it is.  The use of any word to put someone down, make fun of him, or show disrespect  is a slur.  For example, there is nothing wrong with the word tool, but when someone is called a tool it becomes a disparaging comment.

I very, very, much doubt that Roy was targeting the gay community, or trying to put them down in any way.

[OsirusCeltics]

One word for that Hibert post game interview....HILARIOUS haha
And when Paul George slapped his shoulder after Hibbert was done talking... priceless lol

[NocturnalRebel]

Hibbert ended a response to a question about his defense on LeBron James with "no homo." Hibbert had drawn a key charge on James in Indiana's 91-77 victory against Miami on Saturday and lamented not providing enough help to teammate Paul George on James in Game 3.

In the statement, Hibbert said he sincerely has "deep regret over my choice of words last night."

"I am apologizing for insensitive remarks made during the postgame press conference after our victory over Miami Saturday night," read the statement, released by the Pacers Sunday morning. "They were disrespectful and offensive and not a reflection of my personal views. I used a slang term that is not appropriate in any setting, private or public, and the language I used definitely has no place in a public forum, especially over live television. I apologize to those who I have offended, to our fans and to the Pacers' organization."

Hibbert had earlier in the morning reached out to Jason Collins via Twitter. Collins made headlines in April when he became the first active male pro athlete in a major American sport to come out publicly as gay.

"Hey can I get a follow," the tweet read. "Would like to discuss something's with you."

Whoops. I didn't even know that was a slur.

It really isn't, but if he didn't apologize some lunatic would try to sue him for millions. Sad, but true.

Yes it is.  The use of any word to put someone down, make fun of him, or show disrespect  is a slur.  For example, there is nothing wrong with the word tool, but when someone is called a tool it becomes a disparaging comment.

Hibbert didn't do anything you described above.

“There was Game 3 here that I felt I let Paul (George) down in terms of having his back when LeBron was scoring in the post or getting into the paint because they stretched me out so much — no homo (laughs) — but I want to be there for him. I think he has a chance to be MVP of this league next year.”

I'm not gonna give a lesson on why "no homo" is said or what it means but in today's childish society within tha youth, Hibbert's comment about that play would be looked as something gay if he didn't say "no homo". He shouldn't have said it in that setting but he wisely apologized for it. It's really no big deal.

[thirstyboots18]

I agree, diconzo, and practically everyone uses these slurs,  without thinking, but not meaning anything harmful.  I think Hibbert was wise to try to diffuse the situation and apologize, though.  It was one segment of the community that was targeted, even if not intentional, and Hibbert is a role model for kids, just as all athletes are, like it or not.

[sed522002]

He'll probably get the Kobe gay slur fine (so the NBA looks like they care)...anything more than that is absurd.

[Snakehead]

I agree, diconzo, and practically everyone uses these slurs,  without thinking, but not meaning anything harmful.  I think Hibbert was wise to try to diffuse the situation and apologize, though.  It was one segment of the community that was targeted, even if not intentional, and Hibbert is a role model for kids, just as all athletes are, like it or not.

I'm not one to go overboard on this kind of thing, but he went so out of his way on the "no homo" comment... it was elementary school levels of humor (?).

Hibbert ended a response to a question about his defense on LeBron James with "no homo." Hibbert had drawn a key charge on James in Indiana's 91-77 victory against Miami on Saturday and lamented not providing enough help to teammate Paul George on James in Game 3.

In the statement, Hibbert said he sincerely has "deep regret over my choice of words last night."

"I am apologizing for insensitive remarks made during the postgame press conference after our victory over Miami Saturday night," read the statement, released by the Pacers Sunday morning. "They were disrespectful and offensive and not a reflection of my personal views. I used a slang term that is not appropriate in any setting, private or public, and the language I used definitely has no place in a public forum, especially over live television. I apologize to those who I have offended, to our fans and to the Pacers' organization."

Hibbert had earlier in the morning reached out to Jason Collins via Twitter. Collins made headlines in April when he became the first active male pro athlete in a major American sport to come out publicly as gay.

"Hey can I get a follow," the tweet read. "Would like to discuss something's with you."

Whoops. I didn't even know that was a slur.

It really isn't, but if he didn't apologize some lunatic would try to sue him for millions. Sad, but true.

Yes it is.  The use of any word to put someone down, make fun of him, or show disrespect  is a slur.  For example, there is nothing wrong with the word tool, but when someone is called a tool it becomes a disparaging comment.

Hibbert didn't do anything you described above.

“There was Game 3 here that I felt I let Paul (George) down in terms of having his back when LeBron was scoring in the post or getting into the paint because they stretched me out so much — no homo (laughs) — but I want to be there for him. I think he has a chance to be MVP of this league next year.”

I'm not gonna give a lesson on why "no homo" is said or what it means but in today's childish society within tha youth, Hibbert's comment about that play would be looked as something gay if he didn't say "no homo". He shouldn't have said it in that setting but he wisely apologized for it. It's really no big deal.

It would have "looked like something gay" if you are in third grade.  It's the equivalent of laughing when the teacher tells you and Johnny to "do it".  It was a very stupid thing to say.

[Birdman]

Hopefully this doesnt affect Hibbert in game 7

[fairweatherfan]

Hibbert should know better - the preferred term is "that's what she said".

[Snakehead]

To steal from Myles Brown on twitter:

@mdotbrown

Why are you looking for gay innuendo in everything you say? Strength and security determine manhood. Not sexual orientation. It's lame.


@mdotbrown

"Why do they call it homophobia? I'm not scared of gay people." No, you're just scared of someone thinking you're gay :/

[saltlover]

Um, that was offensive, and you don't have to be gay to think it was.  I'm not.  He was right to apologize, and I'm glad that whoever wrote it didn't put in the "I'm sorry if anyone was offended" non-apology.

Why was it offensive?  Because he said something that he thought was a double-entendre for gay sex, and had to immediately clarify that he wasn't gay, because it would be embarrassing to be gay.  It's that very attitude that (*most of*) the gay community is trying to combat.  No, you don't need to be embarrassed to be gay.  And no, you don't need to laugh about every time a series of words sounds (to you) like something gay people do in the bedroom (especially since you probably have no idea what gay people do in the bedroom -- I know I don't.)

I don't think Hibbert was trying to be malicious at all - he was, quite simply, making a (lewd, I suppose, although I still don't understand what he thought the double-meaning was) joke.  But it's the attitudes behind the joke that are offensive, and what people need to think about.  (There are also definitely some people who find "homo" in itself to be a slur.  I think they are correct (and if the moderators agree with me, I apologize for my use), but debating what is and isn't a slur misses the larger point, in my opinion).  Hibbert didn't need to acknowledge the double-meaning at all, or if he couldn't resist, could have said something that meant "no double-meaning intended", instead of "I'm not gay."



*I acknowledge that they gay community is large and diverse, and may not all have the same priorities.  You might even know someone who doesn't care about this.  That doesn't mean that those who do are wrong, just as it doesn't mean that those who don't are wrong.*

[CelticConcourse]

"No homo" just means "I'm not homosexual", right?