NBA Star Kobe Bryant Allegedly Yells Gay Slur at Ref During Angry Tirade
- Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:25pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Kobe Bryant is known for his wild, sometimes acrobatic, basketball shots. But now the Los Angeles Lakers star is getting noticed for his supposed wild mouth.
After receiving a technical foul during last night’s home game against the San Antonio Spurs, Bryant started throwing a tantrum. He went back to his seat, punched it, and threw a towel down. He then yelled at the referee, appearing to call him a “fu***** fa**ot!”
So far, the Lakers have punted on the issue by telling TMZ that they could not confirm if Bryant did in fact utter the slur. (Can’t they ask him?) Either way, the reaction hasn’t been good. Human Rights Campaign — the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy group — released a statement calling on the Lakers and the NBA to address the incident. The LA Times reports:
“What a disgrace for Kobe Bryant to use such horribly offensive and distasteful language, especially when millions of people are watching,” the HRC said in a statement. ” 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.”
John Krolik over at Probasketballtalk.com offers a thoughtful response to the tirade by focusing on whether context matters when using that term:
The word Kobe used can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. Intelligent, funny people like Louis C.K., Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Joe Rogan have all made cases that when they use the word, they’re not saying that they have a problem with homosexuality or homosexual behavior; they just use it to denote behavior they find unacceptable. The problem with that logic is that while we can control what we say, we can’t always control what people hear, and it’s unreasonable to expect everyone to separate our words from our intentions, especially hurtful words. In my younger years, I had the foolish belief that proper contexts to use that word somehow existed. I no longer hold that belief in any way, shape or form. The fact is that for a lot of people, homosexual behavior and unacceptable behavior are synonymous. Until that changes, I believe that there is no appropriate context for that word.
ESPN’s LZ Granderson doesn’t believe Bryant is a homophobe, but that doesn’t mean what he said was right:
I‘m going to assume he didn’t say it.
And if he said it, I‘m going to assume he’s going to issue an apology later.
And if he has, good for him.
And if he said it and doesn’t apologize, then I’m going to assume the Lakers or the league will fine him for his transgressions.
But if he did and he doesn‘t and they don’t, I hope the media will take them all to task for the offense.
And if we won’t, then I hope some of you will at least remember that in the heat of the moment, with emotions high, Kobe Bryant appears to be referring to his colleague with a homophobic slur on national TV.
How does the quote go: “Basketball doesn’t build character, it reveals it”? We already knew what kind of player Kobe was in pressure moments. Now we see a glimpse of the person. Now we see how he really feels about some of the people he works with.
LA Times columnist Hadarii Jones says it’s clear what Bryant said, and that as a result he probably faces a hefty fine:
The most likely step will be a huge fine from the NBA, but it’s doubtful that Bryant will face a suspension due to the circumstances surrounding the incident.
What Bryant said was clearly visible to anyone who can read lips, but there is always the chance that Bryant could say that his words were misconstrued or that they were not directed toward the official at all.
However, in the court of public opinion, Bryant will probably be obliterated, and he has potentially added an entire group of people to the ranks of those who already despise him.
As of publication time, Bryant has yet to issue an apology.
(H/T: Gawker.tv)
UPDATE:
Bryant apologized Wednesday night and was fined $100,000 by the NBA.
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Comments (140)
Mike Westfall No Hiding
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 3:00pmDo you know that in England they call cigarettes f@gs? The whole country must be blashpemus.
nacilbuper
Report Post »Never thought about it that the MSM doesn’t know who Jesus is. Good point!
Mandors
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:59pmWho cares? Really. Don’t care.
Is this the Blaze or the Weekly World News?
Report Post »nacilbuper
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:55pmMODEL82A1
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:29pm
Please, Kobe, save the homosexual slurs for Jesus. That way you won’t offend anyone in the MSM.
I checked, the MSM does not know who Jesus is.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:53pmI have llived in a town with a NBA franchise for 25 years. I’ve gone to one game and it was one too many.
Report Post »Rowgue
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:48pmWhy is the word allegedly in the title of this article? It’s not allegedly, it’s fact. You have the video embedded in the story. Everyone that watches it can clearly hear and see it. The people announcing the game even tell the producers they may want to take the camera off him because they clearly heard and saw it.
Report Post »demint.disciple
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 5:12pmMam, you cant hear him, he couldve said ” f-in forget it ” to the team mate sitting next to him..
Report Post »Rowgue
Posted on April 14, 2011 at 12:32amYes you can hear it. Perhaps you need your hearing checked.
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:48pmKOBE Stop BEEFING
Report Post »You’re an overpaid idiot
Slobaphobe
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:48pmCoarse and vulgar language is part of free speech. Obviously Mr. Bryant is not a gentleman.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:48pmI think he was refering to himself with his tantrum.
Report Post »neiman1
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:47pmI suppose calling him the N word would be a hate crime?
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 3:09pmHe never played for the “nuggets”. ; )
Report Post »PavZilla
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 3:24pmLOL Better – but he did get his “nuggets” taken care of in Colorado. Now that was a hard foul!
Report Post »Youngin
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:47pmSo many people here giving him a pass on atrocious language because it supports their world view. This has nothing to do with “free speech.“ What ever happened to ”character matters”?
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:53pmCharacter!? Character??? C’mon…we are talking about a black basketball player in the NBA.
Report Post »Youngin
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 3:01pmWhat is that supposed to mean? I can‘t tell if you’re joking or if you really are that racist.
Report Post »jwmarietta
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 3:22pmyeah character matters in how we view him not on if he should be in trouble legaly because of character. as an American you have the right to have horrible character and say what you want.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 3:22pmIsn’t the term “Black NBA Player” rather redundant. There should be a quota system for White’s, Asians, Hispanics, in the NBA. Fairs Fair
Report Post »Youngin
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 4:17pmI agree the “racist card” is overused, but what else do you say to someone who basically says you shouldn’t expect a “black basketball player” to have good character?
Report Post »StevenL1955
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:45pmIf he had farted it would be a story. Good Grief, this isn’t worth the space to be considered news.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:44pmDoes he have scars on his head??
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:44pmWho?
Report Post »Is his team in the final four?
What’s their BCS standing?
geonj
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:44pmsince when is “******” the f-word? just another politically correct moment dragging down our country. we are free to use whatever hateful language we want in the US of A. The hatred starts when our 1st amendment rights are quashed by those who believe we don’t have those rights. hate speach is as protected as any other speach. i will call anyone anything anytime i feel like it. God bless America.
Report Post »effvar
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:44pmAgain…basketball, football and poker are not real sports. Basketball and football are glory hounds …”look at me…look at me…see what I can do..?“ ”watch me pound my chest like an ape because I get paid for what I’m paid to do”! Poker on a “sports channel” Please…Idiots!
Report Post »mrlogan3
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 4:16pmWhat are real sports then?
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:43pmWas think he was refering to himself with his tantrum.
Report Post »spirited
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:43pmsilly goose,
egg head,
meat head,
jack ass…,
are words for PETA to take exception to.
>Eee gads!…. imagine if he yelled, “you heterosexual” !!!
Report Post »RightUnite
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:42pmThat is pretty funny! If Kobe isn’t a homophobe, I don’t know who the h*ll would be!
Report Post »ares338
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:41pmOverpaid and mostly over adored.
Report Post »urbanserf
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:52pmover adored, I’ve always hated the Lakers
Report Post »felina g
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:41pmFree country, free speech………..or used to be and will be again.
Report Post »cookcountypatriot
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:40pmkobe like the spotted owls and fresh water smelt in calif have protected status ,,,he is free to say whatever he likes..excuses will be made for him without him having to say a word,,white progressives allways protect thier pets..
Report Post »beckwill
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 3:37pmWoohoo. Well said and slammer on top! Did you sleep at a La Quinta Inns & Suites last night because you Nailed It!!
Report Post »JESUS-IS-LORD
Posted on April 14, 2011 at 7:41amof course, when you are part of the illuminati, you get all the perks!
Report Post »AriBenTZion
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:38pmWell, I’m sure the exhibitionist queen, Perez Hilton A.K.A. Mario Armando Lavandeira, will have something to say about this.
Report Post »TedPearson
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 3:09pmLOL!! Perez’s last name is Lava-Derriere!!
Report Post »sweetscience
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:37pmBig deal…I‘m sure he’ll be asked to host the Nik – Kids Awards with Snoop next year.
Report Post »crackerone
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:36pmWelcome to the jungle!
Report Post »gramma b
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:35pm“Homophobe” is a slur. It is a pejorative term thrown at anyone who holds to traditional morality, or who recognizes that homosexual behavior is an obvious dysfunction.
Report Post »Slobaphobe
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:44pmJust like Slobaphobe, Grandma!
Report Post »code green
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 3:06pmHoney actually a phobia means a fear of. The word homophobe is a miss use of the word. I don’t fear the gays .They disgust and revolt me, but I don’t have fear. There for I am not homophobic, just prejudiced .
Report Post »gramma b
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 3:19pmActually, since “****” means, roughly “same,“ the term ”homophobe“ means ”fear of sameness.” It is a totally nonsensical word.
I can remember when the word was first coined. It was at about the same time that a small group of people in the American Psychological Association, when the majority were out of the room, voted to take homosexuality off the DSM list of disorders. It clearly is a disorder. Sexual intercourse and sexual attraction have an obvious biological purpose. The urge to have intercourse with a person of the same sex (or, more accurately, to imitate intercourse, since the real thing is impossible) is an obvious dysfunction.
But, with a purely political vote, and the coining of a new slur for anyone who disagreed with it, homosexuality became “normal,” and anybody who believes it is not normal suddenly has a phobia, which is a disorder. The inmates truly have taken over the asylum.
Report Post »1952
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 8:00pmGee Grandma, what big hate you have. Same with you, code green. If God made us all, then it sounds like you assume that God made an error. Can you actually read the mind of God? I think you are being tested… better prepare.
Report Post »PenguinPerspective
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 8:06pmActually, “homophobe” generally refers to people who are against the person, not the act. In my opinion, it’s completely okay to be uncomfortable or even completely against homosexuality. However, when you treat someone differently because they are gay, then that’s prejudice, and that’s not okay. I’m not saying the word is always used that way, but that’s my definition.
Report Post »imreddog
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 8:52pmI’m with you Code Green.
Report Post »Homosexuallity is a perversion and God hates it…. I’m not too hot on it either. Male homos are filthy, disease carrying perverts.
Filthy…. rolling around in human feces.
Disease carrying…. AIDS.
Perverts…. Practicing a perverted life style… if you can call it a life style.
AND it is a choice, a very unwise choice.
exdem
Posted on April 13, 2011 at 9:42pmUh Oh!!! One of their own used a gay slur. He must go to rehab, anger management and sensitivity training asap, hold a press conference and apologize profusely. Then he will be forgiven by the progressive hypocrits.
Report Post »I Love Section 8 Housing
Posted on April 14, 2011 at 12:24amhe should have called him a christian. that’s much more insulting.
JESUS-IS-LORD
Posted on April 14, 2011 at 7:40amhomosexuality is sin and that’s it.
Report Post »