Miami Heat forward Luol Deng responded to the racist remarks the Atlanta Hawks wrote in his free agency scouting report, stating he was proud to be African and commending the co-owners of the Hawks who spoke out against the report.
Hawks general manager Danny Ferry read racial remarks contained in a scouting report on Deng during a conference call in June. The remarks sparked an internal investigation, which ultimately discovered a racially insensitive email sent from majority owner Bruce Levenson, who announced Sunday he would sell his stake in the team.
The remarks Ferry read aloud said Deng, who's Sudanese, had "a little African in him" and implied Deng was a "two-faced liar and cheat."
Deng responded to the remarks Tuesday in a statement, via Basketball Insiders:
"I'm proud to say I actually have a lot of African in me, not just 'a little.' For my entire life, my identity has been a source of pride and strength. Among my family and friends, in my country of South Sudan and across the broader continent of Africa, I can think of no greater privilege than to do what I love for a living while also representing my heritage on the highest stage. Unfortunately, the comment about my heritage was not made with the same respect and appreciation.
"Concerning my free agency, the focus should purely have been on my professionalism and my ability as an athlete. Every person should have the right to be treated with respect and evaluated as an individual, rather than be reduced to a stereotype. I am saddened and disappointed that this way of thinking still exists today. I am even more disturbed that it was shared so freely in a business setting.
"However, there is comfort in knowing that there are people who aren't comfortable with it and have the courage to speak up. In the same way a generalization should not define a group of people, the attitude of a few should not define a whole organization."
Deng ultimately signed with Miami in July.
Atlanta doesn't appear to be on the verge of firing Ferry, who apologized for the remarks and emphasized he was only reading what was written in the scouting report.
WSB-TV published a copy of a letter sent from Hawks co-owner Michael Gearon Jr. to Levenson that detailed the remarks Ferry read and subsequently asked Levenson to fire Ferry. A copy of the letter can be read HERE.
