Update:
Amar’e Stoudemire has offered an apology for his homophobic comments earlier in the week. In a statement, Stoudemire explained that his comments were meant to be jokes and that he was supportive of the LGBT community. As always, the apology rings somewhat hollow after the initial comments.
STAT’s statement via Eurohoops.net:
“I want to apologize for my offensive comments against the LGBT community. These remarks were taken from a larger interview where a reporter was asking me hypothetical questions, and all my answers had a comedic undertone. The answers I gave were meant to be taken as jokes & I am deeply sorry for offending anyone. I am open to creating a dialogue to assist the fight the LGBT community encounters daily and will continue focus on playing basketball.”
Original Story Follows:
Amar’e Stoudemire is retired from the NBA, but still plays basketball. STAT is currently playing for Hapoel Jerusalem, an Israeli team that he co-owns. This week, Happa Sports asked Stoudemire about hypothetically playing with a homosexual teammate, and Stoudemire’s response wasn’t exactly progressive (h/t Business Insider):
“I’m going to shower across the street, make sure my change of clothes are around the corner, and drive — take a different route to the gym,” Stoudemire said with a smile
The interviewer gave him a chance to save himself up by asking if Stoudemire was making a joke.
“I mean, there’s always a truth within a joke,” Stoudemire responded.
Stoudemire was alone in his anti-gay opinion; the rest of the players interviewed all immediately said that they would have no issue with a gay teammate.
