'I'm going to shower across the street': Former NBA All Star Amar'e Stoudemire says he would AVOID a teammate if he found out he was gay
- Amar'e Stoudemire told Israeli news site that he would avoid a gay teammate
- The former NBA star has been playing for Hapoel Jerusalem Basketball Club
- He said 'there's always truth within a joke' when asked about his comments
- Stoudemire was fined $50,000 in 2012 after tweeting a gay slur during the offseason
- Openly gay athlete, John Amaechi, said Stoudemire should not 'flatter himself'
Former NBA star Amar'e Stoudemire has come under fire after suggesting he would avoid a teammate if he found out he was gay.
The ex- New York Knicks forward, who joined Hapoel Jerusalem Basketball Club in 2016, told Israeli news site Walla Sport, that he would be uncomfortable around a homosexual teammate.
The news site interviewed multiple Israeli basketball players on their thoughts on having a gay player on their team.
Former NBA star Amar'e Stoudemire told Israeli media he would be uncomfortable if he had a gay teammate
'I'm going to shower across the street, make sure my change of clothes are around the corner,' Stoudemire said.
'And I'm going to drive...take a different route to the gym,' he added.
When
the reporter asked the 34-year-old if his comments were in jest,
Stoudemire said: 'I mean, there's always a truth within a joke.'
Other players interviewed said a homosexual teammate would not bother them.
'No, I don't have a problem with it
at all,' one said. Another said a gay teammate would not be an issue if
'as long as he didn't mess' with him.
John
Amaechi, 46, who is openly gay, criticized the basketball player for his
comments and said Stoudemire should not 'flatter himself'
Ex-NBA player, and openly gay athlete, John Amaechi has slammed Stoudemire for his homophobic comments.
'These
are serious times and we need serious people to lead important
conversations, not petulant man-children spouting puerile prejudice,'
Amaechi told TMZ Sports.
'There
is already one too many of those holding court in the media, and the
world is poorer for it. Within the world of sport there are plenty of
true role models, on and off the floor, whose words are carefully chosen
to uplift and integrate society not join Trump and his grinning cabal
in their 'locker room banter.'
'In
these tumultuous times, these true role models are the men and women
whose voices we need to disseminate to every corner, not a braying
jacka** making a desperate grab for relevance amongst a constituency
destined for extinction.
'Lastly, could someone please tell this man to stop flattering himself. It's embarrassing.'
In 2012, Stoudemire was ordered to pay $50,000 after tweeting a gay slur at another user during the Knicks off-season.
He later addressed the incident in a statement and apologized to his fans, ESPN reported.
'I am a huge supporter of civil rights for all people,' he said.
'I am disappointed in myself for my statement to a fan. I should have known better and there is no excuse.'
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