Gilbert Arenas: Shunned NBA Star Says He Wants To Be A Role Model

by Yuliya Talmazan | February 1, 2010 at 05:23 pm

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NBA star Gilbert Arenas accused of bringing weapons into the NBA locker room has come full circle and wrote a public letter addressed to his younger fans about the danger of guns. The Washington Post published a revealing testimony written by Arenas talking about the incident and his inadequate reaction, "making fun of a serious situation." Arenas sounds quite remorseful and cognizant of his actions in his letter.

Guns and violence are serious problems, not joking matters -- a lesson that's been brought home to me over the past few weeks. I thought about this when I pleaded guilty as charged in court and when I accepted my NBA suspension without challenge.

I am trying hard to right my wrongs. The one that will be hardest to make right is the effect my actions have had on kids who see NBA players as role models.

The relationship I have with young fans is very important to me. I realize now how easily I can damage it. I have to earn that respect and work to deserve it each and every day.

Arenas was indefinitely suspended by the NBA three weeks ago for smuggling guns into his team's locker room and threatening teammate Javaris Crittenton over an alleged gambling dispute. Arenas pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a pistol on January 15. He will be sentenced in March and is facing up to five years in prison if convicted. In the wake of the scandal, Arenas made comments on Twitter trying to play off the gun incident as a joke. He was widely criticized for his rhetoric on Twitter, that many believe has contributed to his suspension from the NBA. His Twitter account has been deleted.