Last night during the Los Angeles Lakers game, Kobe Bryant let fly a homophobic slur that was caught on camera. This outburst isn’t sitting well with a number of high profile gay rights groups.
It was the third quarter and Kobe was hit with a technical foul. Clearly upset, Bryant hit the bench, threw his towel, and mouthed the words “f***ing f**got” — directing his wrath at NBA referee Bennie Adams.
An announcer remarked: “You might wanna take the cameras off of him right now, for the children watching.”
TMZ spoke with representatives for Human Right Campaign to get their take on the outburst: “What a disgrace for Kobe Bryant to use such horribly offensive and distasteful language, especially when millions of people are watching … it perpetuates a culture of discrimination and hate.”
UPDATE: NBA Commissioner David Stern said: “Kobe Bryant’s comment during last night’s game was offensive and inexcusable. While I’m fully aware that basketball is an emotional game, such a distasteful term should never be tolerated. Accordingly, I have fined Kobe $100,000.”
Bryant gave a live interview on ESPN radio late this afternoon, indicating that he plans to appeal the $100k fine. He called the decision “standard protocol.”
Watch the video below:
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