I Ain't Buying It Tim

“You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known, I don't like gay people and I don't like to be around gay people. I am homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States." Tim Hardaway’s words not mine from over two years ago. Words which in my opinion rightly cost him his post NBA career and sponsorships. People are entitled to their opinions but in spite of that whole 1st Amendment thing there is a price to be paid for making your opinions so public.

Well Tim is back in the news and it would appear his bigoted heart has changed. Or has it? His charity, The Tim Hardaway Foundation this week donated money to The Trevor Project whose mission is to fight suicide among gay teams. It looks as if Tim is reaching out to the LGBT community in an effort to rectify, by his own admission, homophobic statements.

I question the timeliness of Mr. Hardaway’s act of generosity as this week the Miami Heat, in honor of the six seasons he played with them, has chosen to retire Tim’s No. 10 jersey. Coincidence or a ploy to avoid controversy? After all the Trevor Project has been around for over 10 years and Tim has made no visible attempt to reach out to them in the more than 2 years since his hateful statements. And then he spoke, again.

What he said, “Gays and lesbians we don’t have to accept the act but we have to accept them as people.” We don’t have to accept the act? I’m pretty sure gay people are not sitting around awaiting your acceptance and, Tim, your statement is still judgmental. When asked by a reporter whether or not he would still refuse to play with a gay player, Tim stated “We have a right to know. We’d say, ‘How do you want to do this? Do you want to go in the shower first, or do you want me to go in the shower first?’ Why is he so fixated on showering with gay men? Believe it or not Tim but not every gay man wants to have sex with you and you have more than likely showered with many a gay man in your basketball career and never even knew it.

Mr. Hardaway summed it up best himself when he said, “The endorsements will never come back. People have taken that and it’s gone. I understand that. I’m trying to look for work and provide for my family. All that stuff has left me high and dry. I have to dig for work.” So not really a change of heart at all is it Tim? And none of your charitable efforts are about helping gay people but in fact finding work for yourself and maintaining the millionaire lifestyle to which you’ve become accustomed. Can’t say I blame you we all want to provide for our families the best we can. So, good luck with that Tim. Hopefully you won’t end up working with some flaming homosexual who insist on showering with you before you start work each day.