Donald Sterling was spotted in a rather unusual location over the weekend.
The embattled Los Angeles Clippers owner attended a service at the predominately African-American Praises of Zion Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday.
According to reports, Sterling was personally invited to attend the service by pastor JB Hardwick, who told the congregation that he would forgive Sterling for his actions.
“Stand up brother Sterling. I’m going to give you a round of applause,” Hardwick said. “We love all God’s children, regardless of your race, creed or color, and I want my friend to know we’re praying for you.”
Sterling’s relationship with the African-American community has been tenuous to say the least, as the 80-year-old owner was recently banned from his team and the NBA after a recording surfaced of him saying that he did not want black people at his games.
The church’s reaction to Sterling’s presence was mixed.
“It was negative, I’m not gonna lie, it was negative,” parishioner Javonda Gomez said. “I’m gonna forgive him because that’s how I am, I am a Christian, I’m going to forgive.”
A hearing to vote on terminating Sterling’s ownership of the Clippers was scheduled for Tuesday but was canceled last Friday when former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer reportedly purchased the team for $2 billion.
Photo via Twitter/@abc13houston
