Feb 15, 2007 8:24 am US/Eastern
CBS4 Interview: Tim Hardaway Explains Gay Hatred
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MIAMI (CBS4) ―
Former Miami Heat player Tim Hardaway spoke at length Wednesday with CBS4 Sports Director Jim Berry, who asked Hardaway to explain comments made earlier in the day to radio talk host Danm LeBatard on 790 The Ticket, in which he said "I hate gay people."
See the original report and hear the radio interviewHardaway, speaking by telephone from Las vegas, talked with Berry at length about his believe that homosexuality is wrong, explaining that he would not like to play with a gay player, and said his comments were not really that controversial.
Hardaway told Berry that many players believe as he does, but don't say so out of political correctness.
Berry asked if Hardaway would feel the same way about a member of his family, if he should discover that person was gay, Hardaway answered with an abrupt 'Yes.'
Hardaway's comments come on the heels of a groundbreaking revelation made by former player John Amaechi, who became the first professional basketball player to openly identify himself as gay.
Amaechi became only the sixth male atlhlete from one of the four major American sports (NBA,MLB,NFL,NHL) to admit he is gay.
Former NFL running back David Kopay , offensive lineman Roy Simmons and defensive lineman Esera Tuaolo just recently came out.
Glenn Burke, an outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Oakland Athletics in the 1970s, and Billy Bean, a utility player in the 1980s and 1990s, have also come out.
No player has ever publicly admitted to being gay while currently playing for one of the four major American sports.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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