Many athletes and public figures have said enormous nonsense and sometimes nameless horrors. Far fewer have understood the scope of their error and done more than apologize to right their wrongs. Tim Hardawaywho turns 56 today, is one of them.
The crossover king, NBA star of the 90s with Golden State then Miami, is aware that the words he spoke in an interview in 2007 are part of the reasons that had previously deprived him of the honors of Springfield and continues today to work to show that he has changed.
The origin of evil? During an appearance on Dan Le Batard’s radio show, Tim Hardaway answered a question about the possibility of playing with a homosexual teammate. His answer :
“You know, I hate gay people. I hate them, you have to know that. I don’t like gay people and I don’t like being around them. I’m homophobic. It’s not something that should exist in the world or in the United States. If I found out that one of my teammates did, I would try to get them fired.”
We were not yet in what some call the “cancel culture”, but the distressing and catastrophic declaration of Tim Hardaway did not go unnoticed. Retired for three years at that time, he was immediately ousted from the All-Star Game festivities in which he was to participate, then fired by his employer Trinity Sports, owner of a CBA team where he officiated as a senior management adviser. on basketball operations.
“I had no idea I hurt so many people. This is the biggest mistake of my life and I’m going to do everything in my power to fix it,” Hardaway said in a post. announced a few days later.
Swinging a TV on an NBA floor, that was quality freaking out
Rather than disappearing from the landscape or contenting himself with facade excuses, Tim Hardaway has chosen a path too rarely taken by the ignorant and the intolerant. He learned. Met with associations that defend LGBT rights. Has simply rubbed shoulders with homosexuals. From there, the former Heat back understood. Hardaway has worked extensively with the Trevor Project, which does community suicide prevention.
A few years later, when Jason Collins came out — the first by an active NBA player — he was among the first people to call him to congratulate him and publicly support him.
“People shouldn’t have to kill themselves because they’re gay. Stop bullying the LGBT community. These are people who want to live their lives the way they want to, just like everyone else. It doesn’t make any sense. We should be able to live and enjoy life the way we want to.
Now there is more dialogue. People understand better and are more used to it. Equality is an increasingly important value. The issue of mental health too. No one should be able to judge you for who you are.
When I was a kid, people used the word ‘fag’. We grew up with it, but it was wrong. I have gay friends and family members and will always support them as much as possible. They feel good about themselves and we have very good relations. We kiss, we talk and we understand each other.”
It is reassuring to see that people can evolve and move from extreme intolerance to real open-mindedness by having worked on themselves.
Congratulations to Tim Hardaway for his induction into the Hall of Fame in 2022. In addition to being a guy who has evolved superbly, he remains a former player whose highlights of the Run TMC trio’s time at Golden State will never tire of. or with Miami.
Tim Hardaway remains the king of the crossover killer, is the younger generation cheating?
