NBA official Bill Kennedy describes decision to come out

NBA official Bill Kennedy, who publicly announced that he is gay in December just days after ex-Sacramento Kings point guard Rajon Rondo was suspended one game for directing a slur at him, described why he decided to come out and detailed the events that took place shortly thereafter in a recent ESPN feature article by Kevin Arnovitz.

"I didn't think it was fair that this individual was going to say what he said and only get suspended one game," Kennedy said. "I didn't think the character of him, or his character at that moment, was worth just the one-game suspension, and it had to be brought out. The only other way to bring it out was if I went public to bring attention to what actually happened. I wanted everyone to know the facts."

Just hours after his statement was released, Kennedy had to go to work. He was scheduled to officiate a game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Utah Jazz that night, and he did just that.

Most of what happened leading up to the game was a blur, Kennedy told Arnovitz. But a few things still stick out.

"(Spurs general manager R.C. Buford) looked at me (before the game) and he goes, 'You OK?'" Kennedy said. "I gave him a hug for like 30 seconds. I was late to the floor because of it. I almost started to cry. I was emotional, and I didn't know what the hell was going to happen. We didn't say a word to each other. Other than I looked at him and I said, 'Thank you.'"

He remembers Jazz forward Trevor Booker coming up to him and showing his respect. He remembers Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, too.

"(Popovich said) 'You have more courage than anybody I know," Kennedy said. "Now, go out there and kick ass.' Then he walked away. He didn't say a word to me for the rest of the game."

You can read the entire article here.