Anthony Edwards, the guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves, has issued an apology for using homophobic language in a now-deleted Instagram video that was shared during the NBA media day earlier this month.
Posted from his car, the clip shows Edwards zooming in on a group of shirtless men on the sidewalk and making a derogatory remark.
In the video, Edwards can be heard saying, ‘Look at these queer a** n****s, man. Look at the world I came to.’
In a 32-second clip shared by ESPN, the 21-year-old expressed regret for his use of language in the video and stated that he is working with the team to improve himself.
‘I respect everybody,’ Edwards said. ‘I know what I posted was immature, and I’m sorry for that, if I hurt anyone. I’m working with the team, and I’m sorry to all the Minnesota fans. I’m working to be better.’
When asked about the hurtful nature of his words and his efforts to prevent such language from being spread on social media, Edwards replied, ‘I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make it right, show everybody that I come with respect.’
‘That’s not who I am, I’m willing to take it as far as I need to,’ added the one-year Georgia Bulldog. ‘It just makes me think before I do anything now. I learned that you have to think before you speak and things can be taken away in a blink. Words hurt people and I just gotta be better.’
Two weeks prior to his public apology, Edwards had already expressed his regret and acknowledged his comments as ‘hurtful’ and ‘unacceptable’ on Twitter.
In another statement on September 11, Edwards wrote, ‘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!’
The Timberwolves also apologized for the offense caused by Edwards’ actions and emphasized the team’s commitment to inclusivity.
‘We are disappointed in the language and actions Anthony Edwards displayed on social media,’ the team said in a statement attributed to team president Tim Connelly. ‘The Timberwolves are committed to being an inclusive and welcoming organization for all and apologize for the offense this has caused to so many.’
In response to the incident, the NBA has fined Edwards $40,000 for ‘using offensive and derogatory language on social media,’ as confirmed by President of League Operations, Byron Spruell.
