The Utah Jazz have banned a fan for life after a heated confrontation with Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook — in which the NBA star threatened the man and his wife after hearing, what Westbrooks says were, “completely disrespectful” and “racial” comments from the fan.
A video captured Westbrook telling Shane Keisel, a 45-year-old from Utah, “I’ll [expletive] you up.” In a statement to reporters after the game, Westbrook said Keisel told him to “get down on your knees like you’re used to.”
Speaking to multiple outlets, Keisel denied having said anything offensive — specifically telling ESPN he was yelling to “ice up those knees.”
Westbrooks’ teammates backed up the guard’s account of the incident.
On Tuesday, the Jazz banned the fan, saying an investigation found “excessive and verbal abuse” directed at Westbrook.
Statement from the Utah Jazz: pic.twitter.com/L3eYolvrpq
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 12, 2019
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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