Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe
Bryant has apologized for using an anti-gay slur.
“What I said last night should not be
taken literally,” Bryant said in a statement. “My actions were
out of frustration during the heat of the game, period.”
He added: “The words expressed do NOT
reflect my feelings towards the gay and lesbian communities and were
NOT meant to offend anyone.”
During Tuesday's nationally televised
game against the San Antonio Spurs, the six-foot-six Bryant stormed
to the bench after he received a technical foul from referee Bennie
Adams.
Once seated, an angry Bryant threw a
towel and yelled
“Bennie” followed by what appeared to be “fucking faggot.”
NBA Commissioner David Stern on
Wednesday announced he was fining the five-time NBA champion $100,000
for the outburst.
“Kobe Bryant's comment during last
night's game was offensive and inexcusable,” Stern said. “While
I'm fully aware that basketball is an emotional game, such a
distasteful term should never be tolerated. … Kobe and everyone
associated with the NBA know that insensitive or derogatory comments
are not acceptable and have no place in our game or society.”