Chris Bosh wants "all slurs" banned
— -- MIAMI -- Miami Heat center Chris Bosh would support the NBA following the NFL's lead in efforts to consider penalizing players for using the N-word and other racial slurs during games.
Bosh, who is African-American, said he hears the N-word used by players during NBA games and that it creates an uncomfortable situation, although it's used primarily "in a friendly" way.
Bosh was asked about the subject by a Miami-area radio reporter during his session with the media following Wednesday's practice in preparation for Thursday's game against the New York Knicks.
"It's a very tough situation," Bosh said of the prospect of penalizing use of the N-word. "If that's the case, they should ban all slurs. And I know it's a big deal, because I think that word is used too much, especially in the mainstream nowadays."
Bosh's comments come at a time when both the NFL and NBA are dealing with controversial issues regarding race and sexual orientation of their respective players.
Earlier this week, Jason Collins became the first openly gay player to participate in an NBA game after he signed a 10-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets. Former University of Missouri linebacker Michael Sam addressed questions during this week's NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis about the prospects of becoming the first openly gay player to be drafted into the league.
The NFL also is considering legislation to enforce a 15-yard penalty for use of racial and homophobic slurs. Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome, who is part of the NFL's competition committee, expects the league to address the issue during meetings next week in Naples, Fla., before formally presenting potential guidelines during NFL owners meetings later in March.
Bosh is in favor of seeing the NBA follow suit, but admits that enforcing a similar penalty in basketball -- which could conceivably come in the form technical fouls or an ejection for escalating offenses -- would present a challenge for officiating crews.
"I don't know how they're going to [enforce] it. That's going to be a tough thing," Bosh said. "It's your word against his word. I think that can kind of get tricky.
"Well, what if I say this? There are a bunch of other [offensive] things I could say and not get a penalty. I think if we're going to bring one thing in, I think we've got to put them all in the hat. And I think that'll work out [better]."
An NBA spokesman did not immediately respond Wednesday to a request for comment from new commissioner Adam Silver, who took over this month when David Stern retired after 30 years.
John Wooten, head of the Fritz Pollard Alliance that monitors diversity in the NFL, has been behind the push to have the N-word and other slurs banned in sports.
But Bosh is among those who believe that context has created a major issue regarding the potential policing of the N-word, which has been used an offensive slur as well as a term of endearment both within and outside of African-American culture.
"That's why it's so confused, because it's in mainstream America now," Bosh said. "And a lot of people say, 'Aw, I'm not a racist, because I used it in a friendly way.'
"It's like I said -- if you're going to [penalize] one word, then put them all in there. Use every slur, every negative curse word, if you will, and that will simplify it a little bit."
The NBA has not publicly dealt with use of the N-word specifically, but has reacted swiftly to incidents in which players have used homophobic slurs in recent seasons.
Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 in April 2011 after national television cameras caught him directing a homophobic slur at a referee. Bryant later admitted to an ESPN radio station in Los Angeles that his words were inappropriate.
In announcing the fine to Bryant, Stern also issued a statement condemning use of the slur and other distasteful language used on the court during games. A month later, Bulls center Joakim Noah was fined $50,000 during the playoffs for directing a homophobic slur toward a fan.
"Kobe and everyone associated with the NBA know that insensitive and derogatory comments are not acceptable and have no place in our league," Stern said in the 2011 statement after Bryant's incident.
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