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Lamar Stevens defends Pat Chambers following statement from Rasir Bolton
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Former Penn State star Lamar Stevens is defending Pat Chambers following statements made by ex-Nittany Lion Rasir Bolton against the head coach on Monday.
Bolton, who played at Penn State during the 2018-19 season, revealed on Monday that the reason he decided to transfer from Penn State after one season was because of a “noose” comment, as well as other racially insensitive comments, made by Chambers during his time in State College.
“For the past year, many have questioned why I left Penn State after my freshman year. I was a scholarship athlete on the Men’s Basketball team, I got playing time, I started part of the season and I was on the Dean’s List,” Bolton said in a statement he put on Twitter. “I formed many relationships at Penn State that I still maintain today. However; no one ever stops to consider that there is more to a college athlete than the sport. We are human, we are young men and women, and in my case, I am a young black man first.
“A ‘noose’ around my neck is why I left Penn State. Head Coach Patrick Chambers, the day after his one-game suspension in January 2019, in talking to me referenced a ‘noose’ around my neck. A noose; symbolic of lynching, defined as one of the most powerful symbols directed at African Americans invoking the history of lynching, slavery and racial terrorism. Due to other interactions with Coach, I knew this was no slip of the tongue.”
Shortly after the statement, Stevens spoke up in defense of Chambers.
“He used a poor choice of words but Coach Chambers is a a great man who made a mistake. His actions towards all of his current and past players speaks much more volume. Ask them,” Stevens wrote on Twitter.
“Do I wish he used another phrase to get his message across to Rasir? 100%. BUT He is far from a racist or a bad man.”
Chambers also issued an apology after Bolton sent his statement out on Twitter.
“I’ve realized the pain my words and ignorance caused Rasir Bolton and his family and I apologize to Rasir and the Bolton family for what I said. I failed to comprehend the experiences of others, and the reference I made was hurtful, insensitive and unacceptable,” Chambers said. “I cannot apologize enough for what I said, and I will carry that forever.
“I try and respond to mistakes I have made by learning and growing, and I hold myself accountable and strive to be a better person and a better coach. In talking with our players and their families, I am committed to seeking knowledge and gaining better understanding of diverse perspectives and impact of bias in our society. I have much more to learn.”
You can view Bolton’s full statement here.
Stevens was a star during his career at Penn State. Last season, he averaged 17.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while shooting better than 42 percent from the floor.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB