Minnesota Lawmaker’s NBA Tweet Called Offensive

A tweet by Minnesota Republican State Rep. Pat Garofalo about the NBA went viral Sunday night, with many responding to the message calling it racially insensitive.

In a statement sent to Buzzfeed responding to the backlash, Garofalo said: “I was talking about the NBA’s high arrest rate and that their punishment for positive drugs tests are weaker than other leagues. No intent beyond that. The culture among many pro athletes that they are above the law is the problem, not people like me pointing that problem out.”