Former NBA superstar Tim Hardaway is hoping his homophobic past doesn’t cost him his place in the NBA Hall of Fame again. The five-time All-NBA selection and five-time All-Star is a Hall of Fame finalist, for the fifth time. But, if history is any indication, he likely won’t be inducted.
Quick backstory: In 2007, Hardaway was still riding high after recently retiring from a crazy successful 13-year career in the NBA, during which he scored a total of 15,373 points and 7,095 assists and won an Olympic gold medal with Team USA.
Then it all came crashing down when he told a radio host that he hated gay people.
Speaking to Dan Le Batard of 790 the Ticket about former NBA player John Amaechi, who had recently come out of the closet, Hardaway said:
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First of all I wouldn’t want him on my team. Second of all, if he was on my team I would really distance myself from him because I don’t think that’s right and I don’t think he should be in the locker room while we’re in the locker room.
When La Batard told Hardaway he was being homophobic, the athlete answered:
I hate gay people. I let it be known, I don’t like gay people. I don’t like to be around gay people. Yeah, I’m homophobic. I don’t like it. It shouldn’t be in the world, or in the United States. So, yeah, I don’t like it.
Hardaway later issued an apology and went on to be an advocate for LGBTQ youth, working with The Trevor Project and The YES Institute.
He also advocated for marriage equality in Florida in 2014, and was a vocal supporter of Jason Collins, who became the first active openly gay male player in a major American professional team sport in 2013.
Now, in a new interview with Hoops Hype, the 52-year-old says the reason he hasn’t been inducted into the Hall of Fame after all these years is because of those remarks he made in 2007.
“I hurt a lot of people’s feelings and it came off the wrong way and it was really bad of me to say that,” he says. “Since then, I’ve turned a wrong into a right.”
“My parents used to always tell me, ‘If you do something wrong, look it in the eye. Don’t back down from it and be scared of it. Go make it right and make people understand that you made a mistake.’ And that’s what I did.”
Hardaway says making the Hall of Fame “would mean a lot,” saying it “solidify my career.” And while he remains hopeful he’ll make it some day, he also knows it may never happen because of what he said once upon a time.
“Life is too short to be out here hating one another and trying to hurt one another,” he continues. “I understand that. But, yeah, that’s the only reason why I’m not in [the Hall of Fame] and I understand that.”
“There’s nothing I can do about it. You got to take your bumps and bruises, and that’s what I’ve been doing. I just try to be positive. It hurts. But, hey, I understand the ramifications of [what I said]. I understand why I’m not in. All I can do is keep living.”
Jared MacBride
He’s atoned for his sins. Time for everyone to let it go.
abslove
I hate homophobic people
iamru2
Obvious question how would he feel if Larry Bird had said “ I hate black people” then after justifiably being condemned, apologizes, would he forgive him?
hassia
It worked for senator Byrd.
Ronangelojr
I totally agree with you!!
dexe123
the guy has made a mistake and was actively doing things to make it up for his past. leave him alone.
Jboo
No, he made a choice, not a mistake. People seldom if ever change their core foundational beliefs. He’s just lowlife scum attempting to do whatever it takes to get his name in the hall of fame.
queerty02
It makes me happy when people are held accountable for their bad behavior!
sfmike64
So when someone apologizes and goes out of his way to be on our side y’all won’t forgive him?
That’s bonkers. We demand that people jettison homophobic words and actions but when those people do what we ASKED THEM TO DO, we have to be ready to let it go.
Jboo
When you’re forced to do something for self-preservation, is that true growth and change? People that not only hold that kind of hate, but publicly declare it, they don’t change. It’s a PR strategy to achieve a result, nothing more.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
I really, really, really hate hateful people. However 99.9% of those caught spewing hate give a half-hearted apology and never do anything to make ammends for their wrongs….
It seems he actually did some good especially working with the Trevor Project, so will give him a pass….
iamru2
Oh the irony! I guess your too triggered to see it?
Jack Meoff
While I admit that unlike many he has actually made an effort to get involved and change his thinking which is great however I did pick up on the fact that even when talking in retrospect he still says his comments were taken the wrong way.
So many people when caught out in hate speech claim their comments were taken the wrong way but reading his comments they were pretty damn clear. I hope he truly has turned his thinking around and is now a true ally.
dinard38
I totally agree with you.
“I hate gay people. I let it be known, I don’t like gay people. I don’t like to be around gay people. Yeah, I’m homophobic. I don’t like it. It shouldn’t be in the world, or in the United States. So, yeah, I don’t like it.”
How do you take that statement out of context? Those were strong, passionate words.
I’m a big believer in second chances. At times I get really frustrated and annoyed when our community doesn’t forgive someone for homophobic comments or misdeeds they’ve done in the past but have had a change of heart. Our community call out homophobes and demand apologies and change, but when the homophobe does make a change, we’re never satisfied. The apology wasn’t good enough; they need to contribute to the LGBTQ community in some way; they’re only doing this to save their careers, etc.
Now, with that said……I’m a bit hesitant about Tim Hardaway. Those were very strong anti-gay words he made in the past. I would want to know how he evolved from the time he made those comments to working with The Trevor Project and supporting marriage equality. That’s a hell of an 180, so I’d like to know his evolution before giving him a pass.
boymikefl
Who?
jcoberkrom
Tim you could be right. But then there’s nothing wrong with that. So move on.
wizbang_fl
He hasn’t ever seen that if you represent a brand or organization the best way to get out of a job, gig, award, etc is by making statements that sound like you are small minded or prejudice in any way. To him I say Boo Hoo, too bad he never learned basic manners and decency.