NBA’s DeMarcus Cousins – Under Age Celtics Fan Banned For 2-Years After Calling Him The N-Word

Demarcus Cousins

NBA’s DeMarcus Cousins – Under Age Celtics Fan Banned For 2-Years After Calling Him The N-Word

On Friday, the Boston Celtics announced that a fan will be under a two-year probation ban after learning more details of the fan using racially offensive words towards Warriors‘ center DeMarcus Cousins. The Boston Celtics issued a statement Friday explaining their decision to ban the fan.

“On January 26, we were alerted by DeMarcus Cousins that a fan had used racially offensive language towards him. Immediately upon receiving the complaint, the fan, who was a minor, was ejected,” the team said in the statement. “The following day, per our policy regarding any reported fan behavior complaint, the team initiated an exhaustive investigation of the incident that included reviewing video from multiple angles and identifying and interviewing numerous fans, security personnel, and police in the immediate vicinity.

The statement continues, mentioning more than one player being verbally abused.

“In the course of this investigation, we were able to conclude that the fan had been verbally abusive toward the Golden State bench, but none of the interviewed parties were able to verify the use of racially offensive language, and video evidence proved inconclusive. Based on our investigation, the fan was issued a two-year ban from all Celtics games, and is also subject to lifetime probation pursuant to our policy. The punishment for any corroborated discriminatory language used towards any player, employee, or fan at a Celtics home game is a lifetime ban.

The Celtics ends their statement expressing regret,

“We were in contact with the Golden State Warriors through this process, sharing our action plan and the final discipline. We express the deepest regrets that this incident happened to DeMarcus, as such behavior violates everything the Boston Celtics have always stood for.”

Cousins allegedly saw the fan mouth the n-word, but video evidence was not about to confirm his allegations. Although the fan denied the claim non-stop, according to reports, since the club wasn’t able to confirm the fans actions through video, they issued the two-year ban instead of a lifetime punishment.

Cousins has been very open about fans directing racial slurs toward him and has been told by the NBA to simply told ignore it, according to NBC. Cousins during one particular incident in which he flipped off Warriors fan says,

“But they was like, ‘All right, but you flipped them off. I’m pretty sure them dudes are still enjoying games [today]. So it’s like I’m the bad guy because I react?”

Most would believe the fan was an adult, but according to reports, the fan is under the age of 18. If the fan violates terms of his two-year ban, he will be banned from TD Garden for life. This issue of verbal abuse has been given more attention by the league after Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook recently made two separate run in with fans on the sidelines during games.

As previously reported, in February, during a Tuesday night road game in Denver, Co., Westbrook stepped slightly into the first row section and a young fan gave the 6-foot-3 guard a quick shove on the arm. After giving the kid a look, Westbrook walked over to have a conversation with the kid and his Dad. And earlier this month, Westbrook was captured on video threatening a Utah Jazz fan next to the Thunder bench. According to Westbrook, the fan told him to “get down on your knees like you’re used to,” which provoked a response from Westbrook.

What are your thoughts on the fan being banned for two years? Let us know in the comments!

Authored by: Gregory Molette