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Stoudemire apologizes for homophobic remarks, says they were meant as joke

THOMAS COEX / AFP / Getty

Former NBA star Amar'e Stoudemire issued an apology Thursday for remarks he made about avoiding a potentially gay teammate.

"I want to apologize for my offensive comments against the LGBT community," Stoudemire said in a statement through his Israeli pro team, Hapoel Jerusalem. "These remarks were taken from a larger interview where a reporter was asking me hypothetical questions, and all my answers had a comedic undertone. The answers I gave were meant to be taken as jokes and I am deeply sorry for offending anyone."

In an interview with Walla Sport this week, Stoudemire said he "would shower across the street, make sure my change of clothes are around the corner, and ... take a different route to the gym" when queried how he would react to having a gay teammate.

Asked if he was joking, he said, "I mean, there's always a truth within a joke."

Fellow former NBA players John Amaechi and Jason Collins - both of whom are gay - were quick to criticize Stoudemire, who last played stateside with the Miami Heat last season.

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