Eight-time world boxing champ Manny Pacquiao found himself in boiling water earlier this year when he made derogatory comments about the gay community as he compared them to animals. Since then, Pacquiao has suffered some major financial losses because of his comments. Now, the boxer has offered up an apology of sorts to the gay community, but still notes that he isn’t changing his mind about homosexuality.
As previously reported, during an interview earlier this year, Pacquiao gave his thoughts on homosexuality and claimed that gay people are worse than animals.
“Will you see any animals where male is to male and female is to female? The animals are better,” Pacquiao said in the interview. “They know how to distinguish male from female. If we approve [of] male on male, female on female, then man is worse than animals.”
Although Pacquiao initially gave a half-hearted apology, Nike decided to terminate their years-long contract with the boxing legend.
“We find Manny Pacquiao’s comments abhorrent. Nike strongly opposes discrimination of any kind and has a long history of supporting and standing up for the rights of the LGBT community. We no longer have a relationship with Manny Pacquiao,” said Nike in the statement.
Now, more than half a year later, Pacquiao was recently asked about his homophobic comments in a new interview and he gave yet another insincere apology about to the gay community.
“I’m not changing my position from what the Bible says,” Pacquiao said. “My mistake is just comparing them to animals. I’m just human. Nobody’s perfect.”
At this point, it’s clear that Pacquiao is set in his ways and thoughts about gay people. And while he’s entitled to those thoughts, he definitely shouldn’t be offering up half-hearted apologies when he clearly isn’t changing his opinion about homosexuality.
What do you think, though? Let us know in the comments.
