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Tim Hardaway made a career out of breaking things: breaking ankles with his nasty crossover dribble, breaking down defenses with his smooth passing and shooting skills, and breaking into the analyst booth following his retirement. A strong NBA career behind him, Hardaway is remembered for his Spike Lee commercial (circa ’97) wherein he proudly exclaims, “I got skillz.” It is the case now, however, that Hardaway is likely to be memorialized for another proud exclamation occurring only a few weeks ago on a Miami ESPN radio outlet. Hardaway was asked how he would feel if a gay player were to be on his team and share his locker room. Hardaway responded, and I quote, “I hate gay people. Let it be known. I don’t like gay people. I’m homophobic.” You got “skillz,” Timmy. You have succeeded in changing your legacy in five seconds. No longer will you be remembered for breaking ankles with your moves. You have cemented yourself now as a builder; a builder of a barrier of hate and separatism.

Hardaway did not simply say this out of the blue. He was asked a question. He was asked this specific question because recently Jon Amaechi, a former NBA center, released a book in which he openly discusses his homosexuality. It could be argued that Hardaway was baited. Tim is known for speaking his mind and he did just that. It is his right to do so. Just the same, it is equally my own right to find his comments disgusting, abhorrent, and displaying an ignorance of irreducible proportions.

For those who defend Tim’s comments, I have a message for you. For those people who will argue Tim was just responding to a question, be silent. Really? Is THAT what he was doing? I had no idea that ESPN Radio intended for Hardaway to be himself. I was under the impression they were paying him to impersonate Pat Robertson (I wasn’t too far off, eh?). I can’t make this any clearer: Tim Hardaway is not wrong for speaking his mind. He is wrong, however, for not filtering such a wicked message.

Hardaway issued an apology a few days after his comments. In it he said, “I am committed to examining my feelings and will recognize, appreciate and respect the differences among people in our society.” This represents a first step of many more necessary steps Hardaway must take if he is to ever overcome his outrageous exclamation of bigotry. His apology may have come two days too late, though. The NBA has removed Hardaway from making any appearances associated with them. He has been banished from the NBA.

Why the big stink? Doesn’t giving this fiasco coverage just give power to Hardaway’s message? Not in this case. Not when a revered professional athlete goes on the record and spews an angry message of hate. His message would be legitimized if nothing were said. If there were no outcry or no response, hateful rhetoric like Hardaway’s would be perceived as normative. Hardaway did not make a convincing argument; that was not his goal. He did not invite a dialogue; he provided a monologue of hatred. Responsible citizens can’t stand for that.

The Pretty Sweet

“But I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more just to be the man who walked 1,000 miles to fall down at your door.” This poetic assembly of words brings to mind The Proclaimers hit wonder song “I’m Gonna Be.” It also makes one think, “Wow, walking 1,000 miles would be crazy!” Well, American runner Charlie Engle, Canadian runner Ray Zahab, and Kevin Lin of Taiwain, have one-upped the geeky Scottish one-hit wonders. They didn’t just walk a thousand miles. They ran. It took 111 days, but they ran across the Sahara desert. They didn't get a medal at the end. Nor did they take on the title of "World Champions". They did, however, achieve the seemingly impossible. Need I say again, they ran across the Sahara. They did so at a pace of nearly two marathons a day.

Personally, I find it hard enough making my way around the Mall of America without passing out and slurping on an Orange Julius. And I don’t have to deal with the severe diarrhea, and the intense heat. I know what you’re thinking: “You had me at severe diarrhea.”

The Bet You Didn’t Know

-It was on this day last year that the Harlem Globetrotters extended their overall record to 22,000 wins. If they still used short shorts, I guarantee they woulda gotten there sooner.

-Raymond Berry, Hall of Fame Colts WR, was born on this day in 1933. Barry was famous for his meticulous approach to game preparation and practice. He and quarterback Johnny Unitas were one of the NFL’s first great QB/WR tandems.

-American consumer activist Ralph Nader was born on this day in 1934. While not known as an athlete, Nader is remembered for blowing one of the most important games in U.S. history: the ’00 Presidential Election.