By: Heather Graf
Nashville, Tenn. - The man who single-handedly set off the firestorm of controversy surrounding Tracy Morgan now says he accepts the comedian's apology.
Nashville resident Kevin Rogers attended Morgan's June 3rd show at the Ryman. He says it started out funny, then quickly took a turn.
"Just suddenly out of nowhere there started this... I've called it a rant, about gays and lesbians," said Rogers interrupting himself. "I was just waiting for the joke to end, so I could give a little laugh and move on, but there was never a punch line.
Rogers says Morgan's anti-gay comments were so offensive, he had to resist the urge to walk out of the performance. When he got home, he shared his feelings of disappointment with his friends on Facebook.
"I just wanted to let them know this is what happened to us, it might happen to you if you go see Tracy Morgan, so here's a warning," he said.
The Facebook post, titled "Why I No Longer ‘Like' Tracy Morgan – A Must Read," was shared by many, and word spread quickly over the Internet.
When national media outlets started calling to speak to him, Rogers was stunned.
"It's completely, completely surreal that all of this is going on," he said.
He was even more surprised to hear Tracy Morgan had issued an apology, and he was blown away when he heard reports that the comedian was returning to Nashville to make amends.
"I just wanted for him to realize, I think, he made a mistake," he said. "And that he should stand up and take action for that mistake, and it appears so far that he is."
Rogers says he holds no ill will towards Morgan, and fully accepts his apology.
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation is reportedly working with Tracy Morgan to organize his trip to Nashville and plans to make a public apology. He is also expected to join protestors next week as they once again stand against the Don't Say Gay bill, which would restrict teaching about homosexuality until high school.
Kevin Rogers says he has not yet been contacted about meeting with Morgan in person, but he would be willing to do so.
"If he truly means these things, I think it's great," he said.
email: hgraf@newschannel5.com
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Nashville resident Kevin Rogers attended Morgan's June 3rd show at the Ryman. He now says he accepts the comedian's apology.
