Pat Garofalo's NBA Tweet Deemed Racist, Minn. Rep. Apologizes

Minnesota state Rep. Pat Garofalo attempted to set the record straight about his NBA tweet over the weekend, saying that he never meant it to be racist but apologizing to those he offended.

The Republican politician posted a comment Sunday on Twitter insinuating that if the NBA were to fold, the crime rate would increase.

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Let's be honest, 70% of teams in NBA could fold tomorrow + nobody would notice a difference w/ possible exception of increase in streetcrime

— Rep. Pat Garofalo (@PatGarofalo) March 9, 2014

Since many players in the National Basketball Association are African-American, many on Twitter read the message as racist.

Article left me speechless but I got myself together. Minny State Rep Pat Garofalo is a moron, racist and misinformed http://t.co/yXC795pRXM

— Stu Jackson (@StuJackson32) March 10, 2014

@PatGarofalo Not sure whether its racist,or just NBA hate.Either way:WAY out of bounds.Not only inaccurate,but racial overtones unmistakable

— Adam Bagni (@NBC10_Adam) March 10, 2014

I'm still heated that Pat Garofalo is trying to defend his tweet by basically saying "I didn't say they were black, what's the big deal?"

— Jonny AKA El Diablo (@thejonnyjay) March 10, 2014

I can take solace in the fact that my Monday won't be anywhere near as bad as @PatGarofalo's.

— Paul Merrill (@StuffaboutMpls) March 10, 2014

Garofalo apologized in a statement to The Diss, an NBA blog run by Kevin Draper.

"I was talking about the NBA's high arrest rate and that they are the only major pro league in which testing positive for marijuana is not a substance abuse violation," the statement read. "No intent beyond that. The culture among many pro athletes that they are above the law is the problem, not people pointing that problem out."

To those NBA players and others who are unfairly categorized by my comments, please accept my apologies. http://t.co/xiGaEc47Qo

— Rep. Pat Garofalo (@PatGarofalo) March 10, 2014

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