NBA referee says he is gay after Rondo slur

Veteran NBA referee Bill Kennedy has told Yahoo Sports he is gay after Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo directed a gay slur at him during a game.

Kennedy told Yahoo he is "proud to be an NBA referee and I am proud to be a gay man", adding he chose to come out in the hope of sending a message "that you must allow no one to make you feel ashamed of who you are."

Rondo was suspended one game by the NBA for directing a derogatory and offensive term toward a referee in the Kings' game against Boston in Mexico on Dec 3. Rondo apologized on Monday and the Kings said his comments were disrespectful and offensive.