Kobe Bryant says he did “NOT mean to offend anyone” on anti-gay slur [PHOTOS]
He first called everyone to read between the lines instead of taking ‘literally’, the words uttered at Lakers’ game against San Antonio Tuesday.
NBA star player Kobe Bryant has issued a statement in response to the negative criticisms thrown at him following the anti-gay remarks he hurled at a referee during a game early this week.
He first called everyone to read between the lines instead of taking ‘literally’, the words uttered at Lakers’ game against San Antonio Tuesday.
He said, “What I said last night should not be taken literally.”
The five-time champion asserted the nature of his actions and the words used while he was expressing his anger when called ‘technical foul’ during the game.
“My actions were out of frustration during the heat of the game, period.” Bryant was quoted as saying in a statement posted on NBA.com.
Gay and lesbian rights group called, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has earlier demanded for apology from the 13-times All-Star Lakers, describing Bryant’s outburst as “horribly offensive”.
"For better or worse, Kobe Bryant has created a teachable moment for the millions of fans - many of them young - who saw that outburst on the floor," HRC President Joe Solmonese, said according to Reuters.
"And the right thing to do now is to apologize and take responsibility for suggesting that the worst thing you can do to someone is to scream out a gay slur. This kind of homophobic outburst has dangerous consequences, even more so when it comes from a celebrity in the national spotlight."
The group then explained the consequences Bryant’s statement may have made.
"Hopefully Mr. Bryant will recognize that as a person with such fame and influence, the use of such language not only offends millions of LGBT people around the world, but also perpetuates a culture of discrimination and hate that all of us, most notably Mr. Bryant, should be working to eradicate. Bryant and the Lakers have a responsibility to speak up on this issue immediately. America is watching,” HRC was quoted by Lakersblog.LATimes.com.
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization echoed the sentiments made by HRC.
“Discriminatory slurs have no place on or off the court,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios in a statement, according to Lakersblog.LATimes.com.
Barrios added “Professional sports players need to set a better example for young people who use words like this on the playground and in our schools, creating a climate of intolerance and hostility.”
As earlier reported by IBTimes, the NBA slapped Bryant with $100,000 fine after the incident.
The incident came when NBA referee, Bennie Adams gave Bryant his 15th technical foul on Lakers’ Tuesday game against San Antonio.
Appearing clearly unhappy with the referee’s call, Bryant was captured in the video pounding his seat on the bench before sitting, throwing a towel and then yelling “Bennie!”, followed by the homophobic slur.
Kobe explained the words shouted at the referee were made in the heat of anger. Bryant said: “The words expressed do NOT reflect my feelings towards the gay and lesbian communities and were NOT meant to offend anyone.”
No formal apology has been issued by Bryant despite the mounting criticisms on the homophobic slur. The New York Daily News noted that the NBA star player is expected to appeal the fine, calling it “a standard procedure for most NBA fines and suspensions”.
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