Timberwolves Star Fined For Homophobic Language, NBA Legend Condemns His Actions

The NBA announced on Tuesday that they have fined Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards $40,000 for use of offensive and derogatory language that he posted via his social media earlier this month.

Edwards quickly apologized for offensive remarks he made against a group of people that seemed to have belonged to the LGBTQ+ community.

What I said was immature, hurtful, and disrespectful, and I’m incredibly sorry. It’s unacceptable for me or anyone to use that language in such a hurtful way, there’s no excuse for it, at all. I was raised better than that!
— Anthony Edwards (@theantedwards_) September 11, 2022

The league has shown their displeasure regarding derogatory comments in the past and have been quick to denounce any forms of offensive language that players may have used, i.e., Kevin Durant, who was fined $50,000 last year for use of similar derogatory language which surfaced on social media.

NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who is known to voice his opinion on multiple occasions regarding injustices and inequalities, posted recently on his blog regarding Edwards. He disagreed strongly with the Timberwolves guard's remarks, stating that he is perpetuating a wrongful stereotype.

Another athlete, another anti-gay slur. Abdul-Jabbar said. "It would be easy to dismiss Edwards' immaturity (he's only 21) if not for the fact that we've seen so many cases of famous athletes and owners in the news spouting racism, misogyny, and anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments.

The six-time champion also believes Edwards needs to directly support the communities his distasteful language affected and that his apology is "meaningless" without doing so.

I don't think an apology, however heartfelt is enough. Edwards needs to repair the damage with some voluntary community service with LGTBQ+ organizations, particularly youth groups, to show his support. If he can't do that much to undo the harm he's caused, then his apology is meaningless.