Kobe Apologizes For Anti-Gay Slur
SACRAMENTO (CBS) - Kobe Bryant fined $100,000 today for using a derogatory statement about referee Bennie Adams.
Bryant had just been hit with a technical foul and said he was trying to get Adams attention from the bench. That's when video replays showed him making the remark in question.
Kobe apologized earlier today, at least in part, as he put it:
"What I said last night should not be taken literally. My actions were out of frustration and in the heat of the game, period. The words expressed do not reflect my feelings toward the gay and lesbian communities and were not meant to offend anyone."
Kobe elaborated when he sat down with our John Ireland just before the Sacramento matchup.
After socking Kobe with the 6-figure fine, NBA commissioner David Stern responded this way, "Kobe Bryant's comment during last night's game was offensive and inexcusable. While I'm fully aware basketball is an emotional game, such a distasteful term should never be tolerated."
