Fan Responds To Allegations Of Racist Comments To Russell Westbrook
Mar 12, 2019, 12:49 PM | Updated: 12:58 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – An outburst caught on video between NBA player Russell Westbrook and a Utah Jazz fan at Monday night’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder has gone viral and made national news.
Westbrook claimed it turned racial, which sparked his anger. The fan, Shane Keisel, said those claims are false and he is not a racist.
I'm not sure what provoked this response from Russell Westbrook but the league office won't be happy about his response. Russ had an incident with a Jazz fan during the playoffs last season. @KSL5TV @kslsports #nba pic.twitter.com/7sq94tBBIe
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) March 12, 2019
In the video, Westbrook is heard saying: “I promise you, you think I’m playing? I swear to god, I’ll f— you up, you and your wife, I’ll f— you up!”
What isn’t heard is the comment that sparked the anger toward the man and his wife.
Keisel claimed it began as playful banter before it went south.
Shane Keisel, the Jazz fan who was involved in a verbal altercation with Russell Westbrook during the Jazz loss to the Thunder, explains his side of what happened. @KSL5TV @kslsports #nba pic.twitter.com/ScCSRttTCg
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) March 12, 2019
“We were just two men, I thought, having fun initially,” Keisel said after the game. “It turned to, I mean the guy is F-wording everything. He’s just a classless dude.”
Westbrook, during an interview after the game, said the anger was spurred by racial, disrespectful comments.
“A young man and his wife in the stands told me ‘to get down on my knees like I’m used to,’” Westbrook said. “For me, that’s just completely disrespectful. I think it’s racial.”
Russell Westbrook says the comment from the Jazz fan that set him off was: “Get down on your knees like you’re used to.” pic.twitter.com/i0vIlblSwJ
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) March 12, 2019
Keisel claimed he said, “Sit down and ice your knees, bro.”
In response, the Jazz issued multiple warning cards regarding the NBA’s code of conduct and issued a statement that reads in part: “Players and fans have a shared responsibility to create a safe and respectful environment.”
Keisel said there were no racial remarks made from him or anyone around him. He said he’s filing a lawsuit against Russell Westbrook, and he’s has been advised to shut down his social media accounts.
“I don’t care,” he said. “He can threaten me all he wants. I was the one talking to him … but don’t threaten a woman. She’s 5 feet tall and 110 pounds, man. Never said a word to him.”
Keisel said he and his family have been receiving death threats, and the picture painted of him is wrong.
The Jazz also stated they are continuing to investigate, and if it is determined any fan violated the NBA code of conduct, appropriate action will be taken.
KSL TV reached out to the Oklahoma City Thunder for comment, but they have yet to respond.
