Former Georgia Bulldogs and Minnesota Timberwolves Guard Anthony Edwards (21) exposed himself as a homophobic bigot in a now-deleted Instagram post that went viral this past Sunday.
Soon after, Edwards tweeted a half-ass, insincere apology; I’m sure his handlers wrote.
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
It could be unfair to ask Adam Silver, the first openly gay man in history, to hold such a powerful position in a sport dominated by heterosexual men; To comment on every issue involving its players. But in this instance, I believe it’s necessary. The NBA Commissioner should make an example of Edwards and suspend him for at least one game this upcoming 22-23 season. There is a precedent, in 2015, Sliver suspended Rajon Rondo for one game for allegedly directing a gay slur at Referee Bill Kennedy. The Timberwolves should also fine Edwards and donate the money to the Ryan White Program in Minneapolis. It’s a small gesture, but it’s an important one.
There are no “gatekeepers” in the LGBTQ Community that can speak for everyone. But it would help if Edwards aligned himself with an anti-hate group to educate himself on how hurtful his words can cause a community that’s already suffering.
I would also caution the media to have restraint in labeling the group of individuals Edwards targeted in the video. We don’t know how that group of men self-identifies. Not all gay people refer to themselves as “Queer.”
As expected, Edwards’s comments have drawn a lot of criticism. Read some of the reactions below.
So Anthony Edwards saw a group of gay men simply minding their business and that bothered him enough to make a video and post it on social media and that’s not homophobia to y’all? Smh
— dre (@teedreeezy) September 11, 2022
I am not impressed by the Anthony Edwards apology. That’s what he’s supposed to say. Also not focused on his youth. Kids know better. I want to see him do the hard part: dig into his life and figure out where all that comes from and then do the work to address it. That is growth.
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) September 12, 2022
That Anthony Edwards IG story really hurt me…. and to think he was one of my favorite young players. Hopefully, he uses this as a learning experience.
— 𝐄𝐥𝐢 🏳️🌈 (@OakTownEli) September 11, 2022
That Anthony Edwards vids weird asl. Like folks minding they business and here you are bothered . That apology fake asl too man
— notazel (@notazel22) September 11, 2022
Edwards has a lot of growing up to do. Hopefully, he can learn from this situation and move forward with meaningful change, not just with words but with action.
