NBA Ref Bill Kennedy Comes Out as Gay After Rajon Rondo Slur
Photo: Yu Tsai, Associated Press
This photo provided by Sports Illustrated shows the cover of the 2015 "Sports Person of the Year" magazine issue, featuring tennis player Serena Williams. (Yu Tsai for Sports Illustrated via AP) USAGE IN NORTH AMERICA ONLY FOR TWO WEEKS, ENDING DEC. 31, 2015, TO PROMOTE THE SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SPORTSPERSON ISSUE ONLY. CREDIT: YU TSAI FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED; ANY USE AFTER DEC. 31, 2015 REQUIRES PERMISSION FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED. NO ARCHIVING; NO LICENSING; MANDATORY CREDIT
This photo provided by Sports Illustrated shows the cover of the 2015 "Sports Person of the Year" magazine issue, featuring tennis player Serena Williams. (Yu Tsai for Sports Illustrated via AP) USAGE IN NORTH ... more Photo: Yu Tsai, Associated PressBoston Celtics" Jae Crowder, left, argues with official Bill Kennedy after being called for a foul during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015, in Atlanta. The Hawks won 121-97. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Boston Celtics" Jae Crowder, left, argues with official Bill Kennedy after being called for a foul during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015, in ... more Photo: David Goldman, Associated PressNames & faces: Serena Williams, Bill Kennedy
Serena Williams
The tennis player is Sports Illustrateds Sportsperson of the Year the first female athlete honored on her own by the magazine in more than 30 years. Williams came two matches shy of tennis first calendar-year Grand Slam since 1988, a bid that ended with a semifinal loss at the U.S. Open. In all, Williams went 53-3 during 2015 with five titles, including the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon. Mondays announcement marks a switch to the formal name of the SI award; past recipients were touted as Sportsman or Sportswoman of the Year.
Bill Kennedy
The 18-year NBA referee has told Yahoo Sports he is gay after Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo directed a gay slur at him during a Dec. 3 game. Kennedy tells Yahoo that he is proud to be an NBA referee and I am proud to be a gay man, adding that he chose to come out in hopes of sending a message that you must allow no one to make you feel ashamed of who you are. Rondo was suspended one game by the NBA for his actions. He apologized Monday; the Kings said his comments were disrespectful and offensive.
Associated Press
Source: http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Sports-names-faces-Serena-Williams-Bill-6698185.php
