NBA star Kevin Love has apologized for posting a meme referencing Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier following their arrests in an ongoing federal gambling investigation.
Love took the post down and addressed the situation publicly, writing: “Spoke to Dame, and he opened my eyes to this being a real-life situation for two of my former teammates and brothers. I took a particular post down because we all know they are going through it. As are their collective families.”
The meme, inspired by a viral Coldplay concert moment, drew criticism from Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, who called it: “Weak ass shit.”
Rozier and Billups are among several individuals implicated in a federal probe into illegal sports betting and gambling operations. Authorities allege Rozier and others used non-public information about player availability and performance to place hundreds of thousands of dollars in bets on NBA games, including contests involving the Lakers, Hornets, Trail Blazers, and Raptors.
Billups is also charged in an illegal poker ring tied to organized crime, part of a nationwide scheme with 31 defendants.
Love’s apology underscores the seriousness of the investigation and its impact on his former teammates and their families.
