HODGE FEARED FOR HIS SAFETY
Written by Andrew Gaze Sunday, 06 December 2009 16:29
Julius Hodge feared for his safety inside the Distinctive Homes Dome on Saturday night, as according to Hodge, fans bombarded the flashy swingman with beer and spat on the American as he tried to escape with team-mates off the court.
But the most troublesome thing, is Hodge saying he was a victim of “Racists epithets” from the hostile crowd, before/during/after the Melbourne Tigers season saving 87-84 victory over the Adelaide 36ers in overtime.
“I definitely was scared,” said a softly spoken Hodge on Sunday afternoon, “It was a very rowdy crowd. I don’t think there was enough security. It was a disgrace to the NBL.
“The fans were classless, they spat, threw beer and drinks, it hit a couple of us.
“They were yelling out racists epithets. A lack of class displayed by them.”
The commotion was also going to be above and beyond extreme, the most highly anticipated game in recent memory as Hodge returned to Adelaide for the first time since the two split last season, that ended with the Tigers hanging on for dear life in the final few seconds, and then again moments later after the final siren.
Hodge stomped his feet on the “Brett Maher Signature” (on the Brett Maher Court) following the game, admitting it was an act of celebration. “Definitely a celebration, I was happy we won. I haven’t been that up for a basketball game since my Sophomore year in a game against Duke, which we won.”
Sixers GM Ben Fitzsimons then approached Hodge on the floor, a moment Hodge said sent the crowd to another level, “And then for the General Manager to run on the floor and incite the crowd, it was crazy.”
The NBL are yet to release a statement on the incidents.
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
written by south001, December 08, 2009
The beer thrown at him was obviously true but he talked the talk so...
36's pumped this all week as revenge on Hodge they are to blame as well.
-
- +0
-
-
written by filby, December 07, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
written by it will always be Brett Maher Court, December 06, 2009
1) We did boo and jeer in the crowd but Julius was playing up to it also! There were no racist remarks during the game and if so why didnt the tigers complain about it?
2) When you leave your mates hanging like Julius did 12 months ago of course they would be annoyed!!
3) when you rubbish a legend in front of 6000 of his biggest fans that is 'classless' to quote Julius
4) What did brett maher have to do with anything last nite, Julius was the one rubbishing the court name during the week
5) The tigers now realise the crap they have inherited...
Lastly Karma....
-
- +0
-
-
At least Mark Worthington showed respect and had the decency to apologise for Hodge's antics. Quote:
"I want to say sorry to Adelaide and to Brett Maher," Worthington said in the after-match press conference. "I don't condone that and I thought that was a little bit over the top. Right now there are 6000 inside and there will be 6000 outside wanting to rip his head off.I think we need to show some respect to a great player for this (36ers) club and for our league."
As for Hodge. Quote:
"If I could do it again, I would have continued to step on it and step on it and step on it," he said. "I want them to remember how it felt for the rest of their lives and I'm sure they will and every time I play there I will make it my personal effort to try to go out and destroy them."
What a joke.... Hodge is definitely not a professional athlete. This was proven in the first instance when he was a "no show" for an Adelaide home game last season and now this. Any player of any club needs to remember they are not only representing themselves - they are representing their other team members - their club and now in most cases - their state.