JERUSALEM (AP) — Former NBA player Amare Stoudemire has apologized for telling an Israeli website that he would avoid a gay teammate.
Stoudemire told Walla Sport when asked about the possibility of having a gay teammate: "I'm going to shower across the street, make sure my change of clothes are around the corner." When asked if he was joking, he said "there's always a truth within a joke."
In a statement released Thursday by his current team, Israel's Hapoel Jerusalem, Stoudemire says the questions were "hypothetical" and all his answers had "a comedic undertone." He says he's "deeply sorry for offending anyone" and he's "open to creating a dialogue to assist the fight the LGBT community encounters daily."
Stoudemire's comments drew criticism from gay former NBA players Jason Collins and John Amaechi.
When Stoudemire played for the New York Knicks in 2012, he was fined $50,000 by the NBA after tweeting a gay slur at a fan.
(Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Ex-NBA Star Stoudemire Sorry About Gay Teammate Comments
/ CBS Detroit
JERUSALEM (AP) — Former NBA player Amare Stoudemire has apologized for telling an Israeli website that he would avoid a gay teammate.
Stoudemire told Walla Sport when asked about the possibility of having a gay teammate: "I'm going to shower across the street, make sure my change of clothes are around the corner." When asked if he was joking, he said "there's always a truth within a joke."
In a statement released Thursday by his current team, Israel's Hapoel Jerusalem, Stoudemire says the questions were "hypothetical" and all his answers had "a comedic undertone." He says he's "deeply sorry for offending anyone" and he's "open to creating a dialogue to assist the fight the LGBT community encounters daily."
Stoudemire's comments drew criticism from gay former NBA players Jason Collins and John Amaechi.
When Stoudemire played for the New York Knicks in 2012, he was fined $50,000 by the NBA after tweeting a gay slur at a fan.
(Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Featured Local Savings
CBS News Detroit
Pistons beat Magic 98-83 in Game 2 to even series
Inaugural New England Amputee Open Cup to held in Massachusetts this weekend
Ex-Boston doctor pleads not guilty to 81 sexual assault charges
Who will the Vikings draft in the first round? What the experts think
Atlanta Dream show depth, new energy early in camp
Hawks bring playoff energy back to Atlanta with sold-out buzz, giveaways and Soulja Boy
2026 Ravinia Festival tickets go on sale Thursday
Thunderstorms expected in Bay Area as Pacific storm sweeps across region