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Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant was fined US$100,000 by the NBA for the alleged use of a homophobic slur. NBA Commissioner David Stern branded Kobe Bryant’s comments as “offensive and inexcusable.”
During Tuesday’s encounter with the San Antonio Spurs, after being called for a technical foul, Kobe Bryant stormed to the Los Angeles Lakers bench.
He then threw a towel, and shouted “Bennie” at NBA official Bernie Adams. Bryant then leant back on the bench and appeared to hurl the insult “f—ing f—-t” at referee Adams.
The incident was caught by the TNT cameras in use for the nationally televised game.
This led TNT Analyst Steve Kerr to say “take the cameras off him right now, for the children watching at home.”
In a statement issued before facing the Sacramento Kings, Kobe Bryant issued a regretful apology.
He stressed that his words came out in the heat-of-the-moment, and that they “do not reflect his feelings towards the gay and lesbian community and were not meant to offend anyone.”
Bryant also expressed his worry over the way his fans – especially younger fans – may have viewed his comments. He outlined his “concern…for those who follow what I say…or look to me as a role model, not to take what is said as a message of hate or a license to degrade or embarrass or tease.”
A statement released by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) – a leading gay rights activist group – slammed Kobe Bryant for what HRC called “a disgrace… to use such horribly offensive and distasteful language, especially when millions of people are watching.”
Kobe Bryant again reiterated his apology today, saying that although his comment was taken out of context, “it’s nonetheless wrong, and it’s important to me to own that.”
It’s an episode the Los Angeles Lakers wouldn’t want, as they prepare to begin their quest for a third-straight NBA Championship.
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