On Wednesday, Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 for “offensive and inexcusable” comments for directing an anti-gay slur at a referee. Bryant called the ref a “faggot” after the referee called him on a technical foul in a game against the San Antonio Spurs. “What I said last night should not be taken literally,” Bryant said in an apology issued late Wednesday. “My actions were out of frustration during the heat of the game, period. The words expressed do not reflect my feelings towards the gay and lesbian communities and were not meant to offend anyone.” Reaction to the incident has been mixed: Human-rights groups are happy that Bryant was fined. Comedian Rob Delaney found it hilariously hypocritical of Bryant. “Kobe called a ref ‘faggot’ last night. Apparently he felt the ref’s lifestyle of CONSENSUAL anal sex made him look bad,” tweeted Delaney.
