NEW YORK – Facing criticism from the Anti-Defamation League, New York Knicks guard Charlie Ward said he didn't mean to offend anybody with comments he made about Jews.
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In an article being published in this weekend's New York Times magazine, Ward said Jews are "stubborn" and persecute members of their faith who become Christians.
"The writer took it out of context," Ward said Friday. "I didn't mean to offend any one group because that's not what I'm about. I have friends that are Jewish; actually my best friend is a Jewish guy, and his name is Jesus Christ."
In the article, Ward and several of his teammates took part in a Bible study class prior to a game against Milwaukee and questioned the author, who is Jewish, about the Old Testament, cultural identity and dietary laws.
Ward is quoted as saying: "Jews are stubborn. Tell me, why did they persecute Jesus unless he knew something they didn't want to accept? They had his blood on their hands."
Knicks guard Allan Houston is described as pulling out a Palm
Pilot and indexing a passage from the Bible. "Matthew 26, Verse
67. Then they spit in Jesus' face and hit his with their fists."
Ward continued on, according to the article: "There are
Christians getting persecuted by Jews every day. There's been books
written about this -- people who are raised Jewish and find Christ,
and then their parents stop talking to them."
The Anti-Defamation League, an organization founded in 1913 to fight anti-Semitism, issued a statement accusing Ward and Houston of religious bigotry.
"In blaming the death of Jesus on Jews and accusing Jews of persecuting Christians, they have revived the historic myths which have been the source of anti-Semitism for centuries," said the statement from ADL director Abraham Foxman. "Unfortunately, Mr. Ward's explanation of his comments shows he just doesn't get it."
This is the second time in a month that the Knicks have been
involved in a religious controversy.
Coach Jeff Van Gundy objected to religion being brought into the workplace in the form of pregame chapel and postgame prayer meetings. He also complained about the amount of time the team pastor gets to spend with his players.
Knicks president Dave Checketts met with Ward, Houston and Kurt
Thomas on Friday to discuss this latest incident.
"While we understand from our players that what they said was taken out of context, we find their comments, as quoted, objectionable," Checketts said.
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 Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy offers support for Charlie Ward.
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The Knicks' Mark Jackson speaks out to ESPN's Dan Patrick on teammate Charlie Ward's controversial statements.
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