NBA Ref comes out as Gay after Rajon Rondo Allegedly made Anti-Gay Slurs

NBA referee, Bill Kennedy, has come out as gay amid allegations that Rajon Rondo, who was just suspended by the league, made anti-gay slurs at him.

"I am proud to be an NBA referee and I am proud to be a gay man," Kennedy told Yahoo! Sports. "I am following in the footsteps of others who have self-identified in the hopes that will send a message to young men and women in sports that you must allow no one to make you feel ashamed of who you are."

Kennedy, 49, who is the second NBA referee to come out after Violet Palmer, did not address any of the reports involving the Sacramento Kings' point guard.

Rondo's suspension comes after an investigation into an altercation in the Dec. 3 game between the Kings and the Boston Celtics concluded that Rondo had directed "a derogatory and offensive term towards a game official and not leaving the court in a timely manner." The league announced his suspension this past Friday

In the game, Rondo was ejected with consecutive technical fouls and instead of leaving the court immediately after the ejection, Rondo started to aggressively follow Kennedy.

According to an official report provided by Lee Sham, the general counsel for the National Basketball Referee's Association, a third official, Bennie Adams, had "affirmed that Rondo aggressively pursued referee Bill Kennedy and had to be restrained by teammates and escorted off the floor by Sacramento team security."

The report also revealed that Rondo had said things like, "You're a mother------- faggot" and "You're a f------ faggot, Billy."

Rondo had denied making anti-gay slurs. He did not comment after Kennedy's announcement.

"The NBA referees stand by Bill Kennedy for the job he does and who he is. We stand against bigotry in all its forms," Seham said.

Adam Silver the NBA commissioner expressed his support for Kennedy, via this statement: "I wholeheartedly support Bill's decision to live his life proudly and openly. Throughout his 18-year career with the league, Bill has excelled as a referee because of his passion, dedication and courage. Those qualities will continue to serve him well both as a game official and as a positive influence for others. While our league has made great progress, our work continues to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and dignity."

Rondo will not be allowed to play in Tuesday's game against Houston Rockets. He will lose $86,300 in game salary.