Subscribe
Follow Us
In light of the recent events involving Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook and a Jazz fan, a 2018 video has resurfaced featuring the star guard and a different fan, with the latter unleashing a racial taunt.
According to Eric Woodyard of Deseret News, the incident caught on video occurred last year, ahead of Game 4 of the first-round series between the Thunder and the Jazz.
To Russell Westbrookâs defense, here is even further proof of his previous interactions with Utah Jazz fans. In this video, @russwest44 is called a âboyâ by a Jazz fan ahead of Game 4 of OKCâs first-round playoff series against Utah on April 23, 2018 at Vivint Arena. pic.twitter.com/lc6slA7fTo
â Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) March 13, 2019
For those not aware, the term âboyâ is a derogatory remark used against African-Americans, as explained by Twitter user Taylor Allen.
Boy is frequently a term that was used (still is apparently, as seen in this video) that was used in a derogatory way towards African Americans. No worries for not knowing this! We all learn somehow
â Taylor Allen (@tallen43) March 13, 2019
The unearthed clip comes in after the Westbrook-Jazz fan incident last Monday night.
After a thorough investigation, the NBA fined Russell Westbrook $25,000 âfor directing profanity and threatening language to a fan.â The Jazz organization, meanwhile, permanently banned the fan â Shane Keisel â for hurling racist remarks at Westbrook.
In a statement, Jazz president Steve Starks said, via nba.com:
âEveryone deserves the opportunity to enjoy and play the game in a safe, positive and inclusive environment,â said Steve Starks, president of the Utah Jazz. âOffensive and abusive behavior does not reflect the values of the Miller family, our organization and the community. We all have a responsibility to respect the game of basketball and, more importantly, each other as human beings. This has always been a hallmark of our incredible fan base and should forever be our standard moving forward.â
Hopefully, this will put an end to inappropriate interactions between fans and players. Trash talking, without a doubt, is part of the game's mental aspect. But there are lines that shouldn't be crossed.
