Video Shows Rutgers Basketball Coach Spewing Gay Slurs, Kicking Players

A tape has surfaced depicting a Rutgers men’s basketball coach spewing gay slurs, firing balls at players’ heads, and even kicking and grabbing team members. The university invited journalists to watch a 40-minute video of Coach Mike Rice heaping abuse on his players—including calling one a “fucking fairy” and “fucking faggot”—that was complied from his first three years on the job.

It’s believed the school made the video public as damage control because it was set to air on ESPN this weekend.

The anti-gay language was “at the core of the suspension,” according to athletic director Tim Pernetti. “It absolutely concerns me. It is not acceptable.” Rice was suspended in December for three games and fined $50,000.

But Eric Murdock, former director of player development at Rutgers, say his contract wasn’t renewed because he reported Rice’s behavior. The video was actual produced by Murdock’s lawyers and he is considering legal action against the school.

Rice, meanwhile, is back at work after undergoing anger-management classes and being observed during practice by a monitor.  Pernetti, who gave Rice a vote of confidence last month, says that he’ll remain coach barring any further incidents.

We’ve never understood the strategy that prevails in male-dominated communities like team sports and the military of shouting insults to get men to perform better.  What’s that all about anyway?

It’s great that Rice won’t drop any more f-bombs during practice, but is “maggot” or “waste of space” really any better?