Skip to main content

76ers fan ejected for flipping off Thunder guard Russell Westbrook

A 76ers fan was ejected during the first quarter of the team's season opener after flipping off Thunder guard Russell Westbrook.
  • Author:
  • Publish date:

A Philadelphia 76ers fan was ejected during the first quarter of the team's season opener after flipping off Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook.

Westbrook had just finished a layup and was fouled on the play.

The fan, who was sitting in the second row of Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center and was wearing an Allen Iverson jersey, proceeded to stand up and salute Westbrook by raising both middle fingers toward him while yelling, "F--- you!"

"I turned a new leaf, though. I leave that alone, because that cost me $25,000 last time," Westbrook said after the game. "The fan, he'll be all right. They can say whatever they want to the players and do what they want, but my job is to play basketball, and that's what I do."

During a first round playoff game against the Dallas Mavericks in April, Westbrook was fined $25,000 by the league for “directing inappropriate language toward a fan."

Westbrook got the last laugh in the game against the 76ers, finishing with 32 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists as the Thunder opened their season with a 103–97 victory.

The fan, identified as Richard Harkaway by Philly.com, apologized, but said that Westbrook provoked him with a comment about his weight.

"As a part-time comedian I realize that my words and actions are sometimes inappropriate," Harkaway said in a statement to Philly.com issued by a personal representative. "In this instance, after standing up to boo and being provoked by Russell Westbrook calling attention to my being overweight, my action in response was clearly inexcusable and I am embarrassed.  I sincerely apologize to my fellow Sixers fans, the Sixers organization, my colleagues and patients, and to Mr. Westbrook for my behavior."