Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell issued a lengthy statement on twitter Tuesday afternoon in regards to Russell Westbrook's verbal altercation with a Jazz fan at Vivent Smart Home arena.
Westbrook, who has had multiple incidents with fans in Utah, was caught on camera telling a heckling fan, "I'll fuck you up. You and your wife. I'll fuck you up." After the game, Westbrook explained to reporters that the fan had told him "to get down on my knees like you used to."
In his statement, Mitchell made note that this is not the first time an opposing player has experienced such behavior in Salt Lake City.
"Racism and hate speech hurts us all, and this is not the first time something like this has happened in our arena. The Utah that I have come to love is welcoming and inclusive and last night's incident is not indicative of our fanbase. We don't want to create a negative reputation for athletes who potentially may want to come to Utah."
Additionally, Mitchell has vowed to work with the league through his foundation to help combat racial inequality.
"Over the coming months I will work with the team, my teammates and the league to help make our arenas and our communities more inclusive and welcoming. That includes bans on hate speech and racism.
I don't have all the answers, but this off-season I will work through my foundation, SPIDACARES to take a closer look at race issues across the country to see what I can do to help combat against racial inequality."