Home NBA Meyers Leonard issues public apology for using anti-Semitic slur

Meyers Leonard issues public apology for using anti-Semitic slur

Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The Miami Heat center Meyers Leonard issued a public apology after using an anti-Semitic slur during his Twitch stream while playing ‘Call of Duty.’ Coincidently, the Arison family that owns the Heat are Jewish. Mickey Arison is the owner while his son Nick is the CEO.

Leonard will be away from the team indefinitely until the issue is investigated and resolved, per the team’s announcement. In any case, he will not play for Miami this season due to a season-ending shoulder injury.

Leonard issued the apology via an Instagram post, claiming he did not know the meaning of the slur that he used:

“I am deeply sorry for using an anti-Semitic slur during a livestream yesterday. While I didn’t know what the word meant at the time, my ignorance about its history and how offensive it is to the Jewish community is absolutely not an excuse and I was just wrong. I am now more aware of its meaning and I am committed to properly seeking out people who can help educate me about this type of hate and how we can fight it.

“I acknowledge and own my mistake and there’s no running from something like this that is so hurtful to someone else. This is not a proper representation of who I am and I want to apologize to the Arisons, my teammates, coaches, front office, and everyone associated with the Miami Heat organization, to my family, to our loyal fans and to others in the Jewish community who I have hurt. I promise to do better and know that my future actions will be more powerful than my use of this word.”

Meyers Leonard
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