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Christian Laettner: No apology necessary from UConn’s Rod Sellers

By Mark Carman

Apr 5, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; NCAA basketball former player Christian Laettner speaks during the 75 years of March madness press conference in preparation for the Final Four of the 2013 NCAA basketball tournament at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; NCAA basketball former player Christian Laettner speaks during the 75 years of March madness press conference in preparation for the Final Four of the 2013 NCAA basketball tournament at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Christian Laettner not expecting or wanting a personal apology from UConn’s Rod Sellers 24 years later.

By now pretty much everyone has seen the ESPN 30 for 30 special “I Hate Christian Laettner.” Basketball fans who had forgot, were reminded of Laettner’s worst moment on the court when he lost his cool and stepped on Kentucky’s Aminu Timberlake.

Laettner finally apologized to Timberlake this week.

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Another part of the film showed UConn’s Rod Sellers losing control in the 1991 Sweet 16. Sellers landed on top of Laettner, pinned him on his back, elbowed Laettner in the face, and then twice used his forearm to slam Laettner’s head to the floor. Sellers wrote a letter at the time to Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski apologizing, but has never personally apologized to Laettner.

While promoting Buffalo Wild Wings as the ultimate destination for March Madness fans, Laettner was asked by FanSided if he wanted an apology from Sellers and Laettner said no.

“I have not gotten an apology from Mr. Sellers and I do not need one, don’t want one and will never ask for one,” Laettner said. “That’s just part of the game even though he crossed the line and gave me a few good shots there, it didn’t hurt. I didn’t really feel it, I just knew that something offensive had happened. I don’t need an apology because that is sports. Sometimes things like that happen in sports and as long as it doesn’t turn into a fist fight or a brawl, I think it is just something you need to expect in the sporting world.”

The full interview can be listened to below. Many topics are touched on, including who on the “Dream Team” was friendly to him. Laettner was not thrilled how that portion of the 30 for 30 special was edited.

Laettner says in the wake of the 30 for 30, people are not treating him any differently so far. He did express an interest in people getting to know him better.

“People say don’t judge a book by its cover, so I have been challenging people to take me snowboarding with them, or muskie fishing, and then let me know what you think about me,” Laettner said.

After getting a chance to speak with Laettner, I would take him snowboarding or muskie fishing with me if I did those sort of activities. He was both interesting and surprisingly humble, but also he was not a fan of Bill Laimbeer.

“I was not a fan of his nor did I respect him a lot when I was younger and I never wanted to be viewed like that,” Laettner said. “Sometimes if you are big, tall white guy who is really competitive, maybe that perception gets thrown around.”

If Laettner’s goal is to repair his image, he is well on his way. Listen to the interview here.

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