Miami Heat center Meyers Leonard was heard using an anti-Semitic slur during a live video game stream on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old was playing ‘Call of Duty’ on the website, Twitch, when he was caught saying a derogatory term for a Jewish person. He has since issued an apology, claiming he did not know what the word meant.
‘F***ing cowards,’ a player, purportedly Leonard, is heard saying during the live stream. ‘Don’t f***ing snipe me, you f***ing k*** b****.’
Later in during the live stream, Leonard is seen taking a call before excusing himself, saying that he needs to speak with his wife.
The Heat did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment, but the NBA is investigating the incident.
‘We just became aware of the video and are in the process of gathering more information,’ NBA spokesman Mike Bass said. ‘The NBA unequivocally condemns all forms of hate speech.’
Leonard was heard using an anti-Semitic slur during a live video game stream on Tuesday
The 29-year-old Leonard was playing ‘Call of Duty’ on the website, Twitch, when he was caught saying ‘k***’ – a derogatory term for a Jewish person
Leonard released a statement Tuesday night claiming he didn’t know what the word meant
Leonard released a statement Tuesday night claiming he didn’t know what the word meant.
‘I am deeply sorry for using an anti-Semitic slur during the livestream yesterday. While I didn’t know what the word meant at the time, my ignorance about its history and how offensive it is to the Jewish community is absolutely not an excuse and I was just wrong.
‘I am now more aware of its meaning and I am committed to properly seeking out people who can help educate me about this type of hate and how we can fight it. I acknowledge and own my mistake an there’s no running from something like this that is so hurtful to someone else.
‘This is not a proper representation of who I am and I want to apologize to [Miami Heat owner Micky Arison and his family], my teammates, coaches, front office, and everyone associated with the Miami Heat organization, to my family, to our loyal fans and to others in the Jewish community who I have hurt.
‘I promise to do better and know that my future actions will be more powerful than my use of this word.’
Meyers Leonard stands with kneeling teammates during the national anthem before an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game against the Miami Heat on September 8
Leonard raised some eyebrows during the NBA’s 2019-20 season restart last summer when he decided to stand for the national anthem as his Miami teammates knelt to protest racism.
He explained his decision in August, saying that he could be a patriot while supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.
‘Some of the conversations I’ve had over the past three days, quite literally, have been the most difficult,’ Leonard told The Associated Press prior to one game inside the league bubble in Orlando. ‘I am with the Black Lives Matter movement and I love and support the military and my brother and the people who have fought to defend our rights in this country.’
Leonard is currently out for the remainder of the season because of a shoulder injury.
The 7-foot former University of Illinois star was taken with the 11th pick of the 2012 NBA Draft by Portland, where he played most of his career.
Leonard has earned nearly $60 million over nine NBA seasons, the last two of which have come in Miami. The Heat have a team option on his contract for next season, meaning the club can cut him and save around $10 million.
He has recently become a popular attraction on Twitch, which allows viewers to watch live gamers.
‘[Leonard] has the best energy on Twitch,’ wrote one fan. ‘It’s not even close.’
‘My passion away from the basketball floor!!!’ Leonard responded. ‘I’ve been incredibly blessed to grow my community and give them a place to come have a good time and meet great people!’
He has recently become a popular attraction on Twitch, which allows viewers to watch gamers
Leonard’s situation resembles one that NASCAR had last year with driver Kyle Larson (right), who was heard using the N-word during a video game live stream. During his nine months away from racing, Larson completed NASCAR’s sensitivity training, visited African-American Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee at her St. Louis community center, and volunteered with a number of charities, including multiple food banks. On Sunday, following his victory at the Penzoil 400, Larson was congratulated by the circuit’s only black driver, Bubba Wallace (left)
Leonard’s situation resembles one that NASCAR had last year with driver Kyle Larson, who was heard using the N-word during a video game live stream. He was suspended and fired from Chip Ganassi Racing, but has since resurfaced with Hendrick Motorsports and won Sunday’s race in Las Vegas.
During his nine months away from racing, Larson completed NASCAR’s sensitivity training, visited African-American Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee at her St. Louis community center, and volunteered with a number of charities, including multiple food banks.
On Sunday, following his victory at the Penzoil 400 in Las Vegas, Larson was quickly congratulated by the circuit’s only black driver, Bubba Wallace.
‘It meant a lot for Bubba to come to victory lane,’ Larson said of Wallace, who is currently the only African American racing full time on NASCAR’s top circuit. ‘He’s always believed in me. That was special.’
‘Proud and happy for @KyleLarsonRacin,’ Wallace later tweeted. ‘Told him way to keep his head thru it all! We all knew it was a matter of time.’
Larson (whose live screen is picture, but not his face) was banned by NASCAR and later fired by Chip Ganassi Racing after he used the n-word while playing an online racing game in front of a live audience in April of 2020
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