Chicago Bulls basketball star Dennis Rodman has received the largest fine in the history of the National Basketball Association for his disparaging comments about followers of the Mormon religion. Rodman’s remarks, and the subsequent fine, came in June as the Bulls played the Utah Jazz in the NBA championship finals.
Following a road loss by the Bulls to the Salt Lake City-based Jazz, Rodman said, “It’s difficult to get in sync because of all the (expletive deleted) Mormons out here. And you can quote me on that.” He said his remarks were brought on by Jazz fans who were making obscene gestures at him. According to an Evangelical Press report, the controversial basketball player had made lewd comments about Mormons on two other occasions.
Rodman later apologized, claiming, “If I
knew it was like a religious-type deal, I would have never said
it. I’m sorry about that.” Bulls coach Phil Jackson
also tried to rationalize Rodman’s remarks by stating,
“To Dennis, a Mormon may just be a nickname for people from
Utah. He may not even know it’s a religious cult or sect or
whatever.”
—MKG
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