Rondo apologizes for 'non-apology' to Bill Kennedy

For a second time in two days, Sacramento Kings point guard Rajon Rondo has addressed the homophobic slurs he directed at referee Bill Kennedy after being ejected from a Dec. 3 game in Mexico City.

In a statement released Tuesday, Rondo clarified his contrition about the incident, after his Twitter response Monday to the revelation of his comments - which prompted Kennedy to come out as gay - was construed, in Rondo's words, as a "non-apology."

"My actions during the game were out of emotion and frustration, period!" Rondo tweeted Monday.

"They absolutely do not reflect my feelings toward the LGBT community. I did not mean to offend or disrespect anyone."

Here's what he said Tuesday:

Yesterday, I said that my words toward Bill Kennedy were unacceptable and did not reflect my feelings toward the LGBT community. Some have interpreted my comments as a non-apology. I want to be clear, from the bottom of my heart that I am truly sorry for what I said to Bill. There is no place on or off the court for language that disrespects anyone's sexual orientation. That is not who I am or what I believe and I will strive every day to be a better person.

Rondo was issued a one-game, league-mandated suspension for the incident, the first time an NBA player has been suspended by the league office for a strictly verbal infraction.