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© St. Petersburg Times, published August 8, 2002
ORLANDO -- Pat Williams made no apologies Wednesday.
Williams, senior vice president of RDV Sports, parent company of the Magic and Miracle, issued a written statement explaining why he mailed a letter to the Orlando City Council voicing opposition to Chapter 57, an amendment that would add sexual orientation to Orlando's anti-discrimination ordinance.
Without apologizing for sending the form letter in a Magic envelope, Williams said he received the information at his church months ago and was one of many church members who mailed such a letter.
"This was a personal action and had nothing to do with RDV Sports, the Orlando Magic, the Orlando Miracle or the DeVos family (owners)," he said.
The letter, received July 5, urged the Council to establish standards before deciding whether to amend Chapter 57 and give homosexuals protection against discrimination.
Williams did not say why he sent the form letter in a company envelope, which lists his name above the Magic title and RDV Sports mailing address, or why he used the company's mail meter.
Debbie Simmons, president of the Metropolitan Business Association, part of the Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, discovered the letter through public record requests last month.
The letter has created a rift between Williams and some of the Miracle's gay and lesbian fans, who make up a large part of the fan base.
Simmons helped organize a protest before tonight's Miracle game against Sacramento at TD Waterhouse Centre.
"I do not have one prejudiced bone in my body as I have proven over and over in my 40 years of professional sports," Williams said. "My faith teaches me that God loves all people unconditionally and that enables me to embrace people of differing viewpoints without compromising my own convictions."
INDIANA 70, ORLANDO 63: Rookie Tamika Catchings had 32 points and 12 rebounds as the host Fever moved into a tie with the Miracle for the final East playoff spot. Nykesha Sales, Wendy Palmer and Katie Douglas each scored 15 for Orlando.
PHOENIX 59, CLEVELAND 57: Adriana Moises made a layup over Ann Wauters, who is 10 inches taller, with 3.1 seconds left to lift the host Mercury.
CAVS: Second-round draft pick Carlos Boozer, a 6-foot-9 forward who finished with the highest field-goal percentage (63) at Duke, signed a two-year, $900,000 contract.
KNICKS: The team signed free-agent center Michael Doleac, who spent last season with Cleveland and his first three with Orlando.
TRAIL BLAZERS: Clackamas County (Ore.) Circuit Judge John Lowe ruled marijuana found at guard Damon Stoudamire's house Feb. 23 after police were called to investigate a burglar alarm could not be used as evidence. Chief Deputy District Attorney Greg Horner said he would appeal.