Best. Gay. Week. Ever. (February 06, 2009)

In 2007, former Miami Heat basketball player Tim Hardaway made headlines around the world when he was asked about the coming out of former pro John Amaechi, and unleashed one of the most simple and direct anti-gay tirades ever recorded:

"I hate gay people, so I let it be known. I don't like gay people and I don't like to be around gay people. I am homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States. So yeah, I don't like it."

Wow. Just ... Wow. He didn't let it end there, though. After the fireball exploded around the globe, he tried to "explain" himself:

"You know, we were brought up to not even condone or associate yourself with a gay person. If you knew of a gay person, disassociate yourself with them. When I see gay people holding hands or kissing in the streets, I just don't think that's right.

And my favorite, when he tried to explain that the word "hate" wasn't such a big deal where he came from:

"When I was growing up we say we hate broccoli, we say we hate potato chips ... it's just a form of how we talk."

Where he is now: Because of the tirade he lost his coaching job, and the NBA dropped him from representing them in all official functions.

Tim Hardaway

In 2004, former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz was asked his opinion on gay marriage, to which he replied:

"What’s next? Marrying animals?

Smoltz later said the statement was "misunderstood", and that he wouldn't have a problem with a gay teammate unless it "compromised the team" ... whatever that means. Perhaps he was worried a gay teammate might marry the the team mascot for the Baltimore Orioles?

Where he is now: Playing with the Boston Red Sox, he also campaigned for rightwing nutjob Ralph Reed's unsuccessful run for Georgia Lt. Governor in 2006.

John Smoltz (rear) cuddles up to Chipper Jones. Awwww!

In 2001, former Chicago Cubs reliever Julian Tavarez said about being booed by baseball fans in San Francisco:

"Why should I care about the fans?'' They're a bunch of a**holes and faggots here."

Where he is now: A free agent, and judging by the pic below, Benjamin Button's stand-in.

Julian Tavarez

Next page! Matthew Mitcham clears the air.