Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards apologizes for homophobic video during NBA Media Day

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has apologized for his use of homophobic language in an Instagram video shared earlier this month in front of reporters during Monday’s NBA media day. 

The guard took to social media earlier this month to post the clip from his car, in which he zooms in on a group of shirtless men on the sidewalk. Commentating over the top of the clip, 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 remorse for his language in the now-deleted video. 

‘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.’

Asked if he had recognized whether his choice of words was ‘hurtful’ and if he was putting in effort to prevent derogatory 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,’ the one-year Georgia Bulldog added. ‘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.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards apologized in front of reporters on Monday during NBA Media Day for homophobic language in a since-deleted Instagram post

Edwards posted a clip on his Instagram of himself filming a group of shirtless men, in which he made a homophobic comment while a woman can be heard laughing 

The No. 1 draft pick’s public apology comes two weeks after he described his own comments as ‘hurtful’ and ‘unacceptable’ on Twitter. 

‘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!,’ Edwards further wrote on September 11. 

The Timberwolves also apologized for the offense Edwards’ actions have caused, insisting the team is committed to inclusivity. 

‘We are disappointed in the language and actions Anthony Edwards displayed on social media,’ the team said last week in a statement attributed to team president Tim Connelly. 

Edwards previously apologized on his Twitter account, calling the comments ‘unacceptable’

‘The Timberwolves are committed to being an inclusive and welcoming organization for all and apologize for the offense this has caused to so many.’  

The NBA has since fined Edwards $40,000 with President of League Operations, Byron Spruell, confirming that the league had issued the fine to Edwards for ‘using offensive and derogatory language on social media’.

The brief statement also revealed that the 21-year-old has acknowledged that his actions were inappropriate.

The league has previously fined players for the use of homophobic or offensive language. 

He was fined $40k,000 for his inappropriate language and Minnesota has issued an apology

As reported by The Star Tribune, Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant was slapped with a $50,000 fine in April 2021 after actor Michael Rapoport shared screenshots detailing offensive statements Durant had made towards him.

Elsewhere, the likes of Kobe Bryant and Rajon Rondo have also been fined for using homophobic slurs during NBA games.

In his career, Edwards is soon to enter his third season in the NBA after graduating from Georgia in 2020.

He was an NBA All-Rookie First Teamer in 2021, and played in 72 games for the Timberwolves in both 2020-21 and 2021-22, as well as six playoff games in 2022.

Those playoff games came in a first-round defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies, despite Edwards’ 30-point, 5-rebound, 5-assist, 2-steal and 2-block outing in Game 6.