Feb. 17--Nike announced Wednesday that it was ending its endorsement deal with Manny Pacquiao days after the Filipino boxer and politician compared homosexuals to animals during a TV interview.
"We find Manny Pacquiao's comments abhorrent. Nike strongly opposes discrimination of any kind and has a long history of supporting and standing up for the rights of the LGBT community," Nike said in a statement. "We no longer have a relationship with Manny Pacquiao."
Pacquiao was one of several candidates for the Philippine Senate who were asked their views on same-sex marriage during a recent interview broadcast by the Filipino television network TV5.
"It's common sense. Will you see any animals where male is to male and female is to female?" Pacquiao answered.
"The animals are better. They know how to distinguish male from female. If we approve [of] male on male, female on female, then man is worse than animals."
Pacquiao apologized for his remarks via social media on Tuesday.
"I'm sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals," he wrote on Instagram. "Please forgive me for those I've hurt. I still stand on my belief that I'm against same sex marriage because of what the Bible says, but I'm not condemning LGBT. I love you all with the love of the Lord. God Bless you all and I'm praying for you."
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