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Gay News From 365Gay.com: "Detroit Lions Pres. Apologizes For Gay Slur
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff



Posted: December 15, 2003 8:03 p.m. ET


(Detroit, Michigan) Detroit Lions president and general manager Matt Millen apologized late Monday afternoon for calling Kansas City Chief's wide receiver Johnnie Morton a 'faggot' following Sunday's NFL game.
'I tried to wish him the best and congratulate him as well,' Millen said in a statement released by the Lions. 'When I called out to him, he just kept walking and then he made a derogatory remark toward me, which really upset me.
'Unfortunately, I retaliated with a derogatory term directed toward Johnnie. I apologize if I offended anyone. It was certainly not meant to do anything other than express my frustration and disappointment.'
The two have had a grudge since Millen cut Morton after the 2001 season.
'What happened was I was just walking by,' Morton told The Kansas City Star. 'I wasn't going to say anything to him. I walked past him and he said, 'Hey, Johnnie.' I ignored him. And then he said, 'Nice talking to you.' And I said, 'Kiss my ass.' '
The confrontation was witnessed by several reporters.
Millen then yelled 'You faggot! Yeah, you heard me. You faggot!' at Morton. Both Chiefs public relations staffer Patrick Herb and radio reporter Rhonda Moss told The Star that they heard Millen's comments.
Morton said he was sorry for his part in the exchange, but was angered by Millen's choice of words.
'What he said is demeaning and bigoted,' Morton told The Kansas City Star. 'Jeremy Shockey got in trouble for saying it about a coach (Bill Parcells), and now we have a president of a team making statements like that. It's totally unacceptable. I have gay friends, and I don't "