Apr/11

13

Did Kobe Bryant Exclaim ‘F–king F–g’ Last Night?

Kobe_Bryant_Technical_FoulLast night in a game against the San Antonio Spurs, Kobe Bryant received his 15th technical of the season (1 technical shy of receiving an automatic 1-game suspension).

After receiving the technical, Kobe was pulled out of the game, punched his chair on the bench, threw a towel, yelled out to Bennie (the referee), then looks to say “fucking fag.”

The TNT cameras broadcast it live, and the commentator, Steve Kerr, wisely suggested the cameras stop focusing on Kobe.,

Did Kobe say what it looks like? What do you think?

[Update:] TMZ reports that a rep for the Lakers says, “The Lakers can not confirm that is what Kobe said or not.”

[Update:] Per ESPN, “The video from Tuesday’s game is under review by the NBA,” league spokesman Tim Frank said to ESPNLosAngeles.com via email.

[Update:] Kobe Bryant has issued the following statement/apology“What I said last night should not be taken literally. 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.”

Sorry, Kobe, but that’s not good enough. Your frustrations nor your declared innocent intents do not detract from the damage of your actions. This type of behavior is unacceptable no matter the situation or the stimulus that spurs it. I hope he plans to do more than issue this meaningless apology (which really just deflects any sort of blame from himself).

Straight rugby international superstar Ben Cohen agrees: “It is disappointing to see this.  As a professional athlete and rugby World Cup champion, I understand the heat and passion of competition at the highest levels.  But we must all remember that strong bodies must be balanced with strong characters, and work toward that end. Our positions as role models demand it.”

[Update:] HRC and GLAAD have issued statements on the subject.

HRC issued the following statement:

“What a disgrace for Kobe Bryant to use such horribly offensive and distasteful language, especially when millions of people are watching.  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.”

And GLAAD:

“Discriminatory slurs have no place on or off the court,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. “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. The LA Lakers have a responsibility to educate their fans about why this word is unacceptable.”

GLAAD has reached out to the L.A. Lakers and will provide updates on GLAADBlog.org as they become available.

[Update:] The NBA fined Kobe Bryant $100,000.

Thanks to my friend Joe for bringing this to my attention.

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54 Comments for Did Kobe Bryant Exclaim ‘F–king F–g’ Last Night?

Millions | April 13, 2011 at 10:17 am

He definitly said that. But its not as if he used the word to be offensive to gays. That is an absurb statement. Its funny, laugh at it.

Author comment by Pete | April 13, 2011 at 10:27 am

Do you sincerely believe that it is okay (and even funny) to use a slur simply because it is a general exclamation rather than a statement targeted at someone to be offensive?

So, if I’m walking down the street and stub my toe, it’d be acceptable (and funny) to just yell out “f–king n–ger”?

If that’s your opinion, so be it. But I disagree entirely. Continued use of slurs continues to harm and denigrate the community.

Joe Davis | April 13, 2011 at 10:44 am

Lakers all the way!! BLACK MAMBA!!

Eazy | April 13, 2011 at 12:20 pm

Fucking Faggots get a grip, u are born black u are not born a Faggot!!!

Erick | April 13, 2011 at 12:43 pm

How do you know people aren’t born gay? Please, tell me your reasoning (although I’d think it’ll be laughable at best).

Author comment by Pete | April 13, 2011 at 12:46 pm

Thanks, Erick! I was also going to ask if “Eazy” thought he was “born straight” (assuming that’s the case). And if doesn’t think he was born straight, if he could point to the time when he made that “choice.”

(To demonstrate that point, I love this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJtjqLUHYoY)

Erick | April 13, 2011 at 12:56 pm

I actually remember when I was in my mother’s womb, I chose to not be black and have dark skin but instead chose to have light brown skin :)

Alex | April 13, 2011 at 1:00 pm

Thanks for posting this story and sorry that some commenters can be so crass. What Kobe said cannot be defended.

Ten | April 13, 2011 at 1:36 pm

Get over it and honestly you and the media are blowing it up so much that you are doing the opposite of what you want to do. You want to show kids that it’s not right to say ‘fag’ or ‘gay’, well by showing Kobe say it kids will emulate it just because Kobe said it. So congrats for bringing more attention to this, showing more kids this video and doing the opposite of what your purpose really is.

Jaydeezy | April 13, 2011 at 2:11 pm

Kobe clearly says fuckin fat not fag. No but really now everyone pro lip readers. I would say i just said homeboy was a fatty not a faggot. But then what will fat people say… damn just cant win.

Author comment by Pete | April 13, 2011 at 2:35 pm

“Ten”
First, I will not just “get over it.” The term is extremely offensive, insulting, and damaging to the community. I was in a bar the other day and heard this white guy call a young black man a n—er. Should I not have cared and just “got over it”?

And secondly, I do not agree that letting it slide (and not drawing attention to it) is the proper course. Thousands of kids already saw him make that statement. NOT opposing it and pointing out how unacceptable it is sends the message that it is okay. Drawing attention to the negative nature of the comment does not affirm its acceptability, rather, it challenges it.

And to “Jaydeezy”, I don’t buy that. Saying “fucking fat” does not even make sense in the context, nor is that what it looks like he says.

sofly | April 13, 2011 at 3:02 pm

Lmaooo a fag is a fag. Not the same as a nigga or a cracka. Sexual orientation and race are 2 totally different things. These are nba ballas they can say whatever they want. Fagggggg

lol | April 13, 2011 at 3:14 pm

fucking faggs

TT | April 13, 2011 at 3:14 pm

Not Adam and Steve, Adam in Eve..

lol | April 13, 2011 at 3:16 pm

get over it, kobe can say what he wants, you butt hurt fags. lmfao!! lakers lakers lakers all the way.

just human | April 13, 2011 at 3:22 pm

Kobe has just proved once again he is only human. We all say and do things in the “heat of the moment”. Fortunately for most of us, we don’t have cameras on us. How about we all try practicing a little grace and get behind our team and focus on a 3 peat vs. something we all “think” we saw Kobe say.

chris | April 13, 2011 at 3:29 pm

you can’t diss race but you can laugh at homos and lesbos all day, faggets are destroying the human race. I didn’t know that you can breed by two dudes sword fighting and two chicks rug rubbing, like i said destroying humanity.

Orlen | April 13, 2011 at 3:31 pm

I don’t know how everyone feels, but i know how i feel and my gay and lesbian friends feel, and if i use the word “gay” or “fag” around them not in the context of sexual orientation they don’t care. Hell they use it that way too. My best friend in the whole world is a lesbian and she says “that’s gay” and “don’t be a fag” to me all the time. We don’t mean it derogatorially, it has nothing to do with hate towards a community. I think we are all a little to sensitive these days. I also agree that the N word and fag are not the same. Now, if someone started berating my friend for BEING a lesbian and using the word “fag” in a bad way, then i might have a problem, and so might she.

Author comment by Pete | April 13, 2011 at 3:31 pm

Kobe confirmed that he said it and issued an “apology”.

And the heat of the moment defense is unacceptable. That kind of speech is unacceptable in all contexts.

You either think the words are okay or you do not. I do not think any slurs (f-g, k-ke, n–ger, sp-c, etc.) are acceptable at any point or under any circumstance.

If you use the terms, ask yourself why. Is it because of culture? If so, we need to challenge the culture to change. Is it because you don’t think it’s offensive? Well, ask the people who it labels if they find it offensive, then make your decision.

C | April 13, 2011 at 3:54 pm

Reading some of these comments is much more disturbing than what Kobe said. In moment of rage he said something he shouldn’t have said it. But the people making some of these hateful comments, with time to thing about what they are typing into their computer, what’s they’re excuse? Seriously, stop the hate!

Restoring Sanity | April 13, 2011 at 3:59 pm

Maybe we should be concerned about the fact he said “f*cking” on camera instead of “fag”. Since when did profanity become less of an offense then calling someone a fag or a prick or whatever other derogatory statement. I personally find open profanity much more offensive and dangerous towards children. The F word has become so common place that it will probably be in morning cartoons in the next 20 years. You politically correct sell-outs piss me off! You let TV and pop-culture dictate what you believe and the way you think! Fag is one of the least offensive things I have heard while playing basketball. If he would have called him a p*ssy, this never would have made the news. What a shame! I find that language to be way more offensive. Besides, you fags don’t like brutal sporting events anyways. Just keep watching TLC and Food Network and you won’t have to worry about it.

Your mama | April 13, 2011 at 4:13 pm

OMG you would make this, something that is not news worthy a big deal.

Someone says get over it and you say “I will not”

Your probably just gay yourself. I mean look at your picture.

Jeff | April 13, 2011 at 4:15 pm

Pete, challenging a culture to change is enthocentrism. We think whatever culture we are a part of is the best and everyone else should conform to our cultural standards.
As for your line about the guy in the bar calling a black man a nigger… Kobe wasn’t calling a gay guy a fag, unless the official is gay. So that doesn’t really apply here.
Are you sure you’re in law school?
Also why do gay and lesbians hold Kobe so high as to let him have the ability to offend them? You actually do have to choose to be offended.

Author comment by Pete | April 13, 2011 at 4:29 pm

Clearly I am gay. Look around the blog. I also like sports.

And Jeff, I’m not challenging that the BLACK community change, I’m challenging that the entire culture of humanity needs to change. With that, there is no ethnocentrism, because there is no ethnicity at the center of it. It is EVERYONE.

JOE | April 13, 2011 at 4:36 pm

PETE… CALM DOWN CAUSE I THINK YOU ARE AN OLD GAY GUY. I USE TO WORK IN RETAIL WITH young GAY PEOPLE ALL THE TIME AND THEY WOULD’NT TAKE THIS IN THE BUTT LIKE YOU ARE. IM STRAIGHT AND THEY WOULD MEsS WITH ME ALL THE TIME CALLING ME GIRL example “Girl you better come in today we need you” AND I WOULD BE LIKE SHIT YOU AINT NEVER GETTING THIS BITCH. ITS HOW THE WORLD WORKS GAY PEOPLE STICK TOGETHERE STRAIGHT PEOPLE HANG OUT TOGETHER but we live in the same world AND GAY PEOPLE DONT LET THIS STUFF BOTHER THEM. ITS WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS GETS BLOWN UP PEOPLE MAKE IT LIKE THE WORLD HAS TO CHANGE. YOU THINK KOBE WANTED THE WHOLE WORlD TO KNOW WHAt HE said WHAT HE SAID. IN the 90’s everybody at school would be like “man that was gay “CALM DOWN PETE.

queen | April 13, 2011 at 4:48 pm

Kobe deserves to be punished just like anyone else would.

JOE | April 13, 2011 at 4:55 pm

Queen He is not perfect i know you aint Queen sounds like you think youre better than everyone else

black mamba | April 13, 2011 at 5:01 pm

the only people who get worked up about this are people who are gay

michael | April 13, 2011 at 5:21 pm

My lord just seeing these comments shows that so many of us have lost a little something called HUMANITY and common human decency.Disgraceful behavior people should be ashamed of themselves treating other human beings this way period.I am openly gay and disagree completely with Kobes comment I do not hate him I do however disagree with what he said.I understand that we all say things in the heat of the moment.

But everyone should be held accountable for their actions regardless their reasonings or excuses or even justifications to treat people this way. Too many people here lack love and respect for their fellow man just shows how far we are and how far we still have to go in this world.

JOE | April 13, 2011 at 5:36 pm

MICHAEL…. I DONT ABOUT YOU… BUT I DO HAVE GAY FRIENDS AND IM STRAIGHT AND THEY MESS WITH ME ALL THE TIME IF YOU READ MY COMMENT BEFORE> WHY DO YOU STRESS ABOUT THIS WHEN ITS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS BEEN CAUGHT ON CAMERA BY A PRO. LIKE WHY DO YOU WAnT TO MAKE IT THE BIGGEST DEAL OF THE DAY. IF IT WAS JUST DROPPED LIKE WHEN WHITE PEOPLE USE TO CALL BLACK PEOPLE NI—RS THING GOT BETTER DIDNT THEY. IM SURE IN THE SOUTH THERE IS STILL PEOPLE SAYING NI–RS BUT YOU DONT SEE BLACK PEOPLE CRYING ABOUT IT.THEY DROPPED IT.SO EVERYTHING IS GOOD WHEN IT COMES TO THAT. THIS IS JUST BEING BLOWN OUT OF PROPORTION.

prtey | April 13, 2011 at 5:43 pm

sweet jesus. when did everybody take their nap, right after story time? its two stupid words. stop blowing this silliness up, choose to not be offended by playground antics, and be a rigging adult. every single gay person i know(without exception) has called someone a fag. i just called all twentyseven out homosexuals in ny phonebook and they all admitted it. one even called me a fag for asking. shit. people who are offended by kobe saying a word should redirect their anger towards kobe being a rapist.

JOE | April 13, 2011 at 6:08 pm

KOBE GOT FINED 100,000 UNBELIEVABLE HOPE ALL PEOPLE BLOWING THIS UP ARE SATISFIED EVEN THOUGH BLOWING THIS REALLY DOES NOT HELP COMMUNITIES KIDS ARE ALL GONNA HATE GAY PEOPLE NOW…J/K BUT REALLY DOES NOT HELP

JOE | April 13, 2011 at 6:20 pm

READ MY COMMENTS AND YOULL UNDERSTAND WHEREIM COMING FROM

Author comment by Pete | April 13, 2011 at 6:25 pm

But it does help. By fining Kobe $100,000, the league sends the message that homophobic slurs are unacceptable.

So, when a gay kid thinks that the sports culture is ENTIRELY against them, they now know that from the organizational perspective, they have support.

And as organizations begin to oppose homophobia, the entire message trickles down through the entire culture of the sport.

ShaneFM | April 13, 2011 at 6:27 pm

I think in these times people have overkilled the approach of being PC. In fact, I believe that we’ve become to sensative. I mean really…we’re going to seriously debate and create blogs and articles and wait…it’s on KCal 9 News..Breaking Story..lol. (smh) If your intellectually stimulated you would understand that the way someone may respond verbally may differ from you. And in this country where Free Speech is not Limited…this is a great thing.
Do you really think Kobe is the only one that uses these type of words on the court? Are does this change some anonymous person from stopping what he says about blacks or mexicans etc. NO! Your fighting a lost battle before you jumped in the ring. Why? Because your battling the degree of free speech.

ShaneFM | April 13, 2011 at 6:44 pm

By fining Kobe any amount of money would not do what you think it would do. The flip side of it is that if he was to pay a fine (which won’t happen-trust me) other people will point out that anybody can buy their way out of trouble. And no matter how sincere you want his Apology to be in front of flickering lights and cameras…it WON’T be what you hoped for. why? Because your now forcing him to do it. The fact that Kobe Sincerely told reporters his feelings and that it wasn’t meant for people to here and he wasn’t putting down any group of people…is going to be about as sincere as you will get.

Author comment by Pete | April 13, 2011 at 6:51 pm

The words of David Stern say needs to be said, the term “should never be tolerated.”

“While I’m fully aware that basketball is an emotional game, such a distasteful term should never be tolerated,” he said. “Accordingly, I have fined Kobe $100,000. Kobe and everyone associated with the NBA know that insensitive or derogatory comments are not acceptable and have no place in our game or society.”

ShaneFM | April 13, 2011 at 6:55 pm

And here’s a question…what if Kobe would’ve said “Fucking Bitch”? Would we then go after him for degrating women? (Even though it would’ve been a man he would’ve said it to) I guess my logic is on another level. Words are just…well words. You guys talk about “ALL THE DAMAGE HE HAS DONE”…really?….Damage!? Come on people…let’s get our head out of our asses here. I have a cousin that I’m close with and he’s gay and I defend him against people who actually try to bring him down. But this is an incident that has been blown out of proportion at this point. Was it okay that he said it…NO…but was it Kobe attempting at brining down all gay/lesbians all over the world…I think not! Grow Up people!

Shellz | April 13, 2011 at 6:55 pm

Kobe just slip what 1 in 5 recreatational bball players would say on a regular basis. It’s human nature when frustrated! Cut the guy a bloody break. Do i have to stop calling people Di@khe@ds…. Incase i offend people that are ‘out’ as or identify as di@khe@ds?? It’s getting ridiculous.

Author comment by Pete | April 13, 2011 at 6:58 pm

No one said Kobe was trying to bring down the gay community, but these words DO cause damage. They promulgate a society that says being gay is something wrong, something to be ashamed of, etc. The culture of intolerance is what leads closeted gay youth to feel helpless and depressed.

Connecting the dots really isn’t that hard.

Author comment by cman | April 13, 2011 at 7:45 pm

How u gonna compare gays struggles to blacks’ ? It’s f… different? stop that sh..t Ur sexual allegiance is nothing like black or minorities struggles from centuries ago. I don’t agree with black gays any freaking way.

Matt | April 13, 2011 at 7:47 pm

For what it’s worth, almost every player has said this at some point. I would bet that almost every person has said this at some point. Kevin Garnett, for example, says exactly what Kobe said multiple times each game. It’s just commonplace in today’s society, and fining one guy some pocket change isn’t going to make any difference.

Matt | April 13, 2011 at 7:49 pm

And if the concern is in children learning that it’s “cool” to say these kind of things, then don’t video players when they’re pissed off. Don’t have mics down on the court. If TNT hadn’t been videoing Kobe at that precise moment, nobody would have even known this had happened, kids included.

Live!!! | April 13, 2011 at 9:31 pm

Fining Kobe $100,000 is a joke. This is one of those events where the league had to fine Kobe to make people happy. Most people really don’t care. Plus fining Kobe $100,000 is like fining the average person $50. He probably puts a million on the side each season to cover his fines. Too funny!

Live!!! | April 13, 2011 at 9:32 pm

Fining Kobe $100,000 is a joke. This is one of those events where the league had to fine Kobe to make people happy. Most people really don’t care. Plus fining Kobe $100,000 is like fining the average person $50. He probably puts a million on the side each season to cover his fines. Too funny!

Adam | April 13, 2011 at 10:19 pm

First of all, this is such small potatoes. Making a huge fuss over something so insignificant. Naturally this viewpoint depends on which side of sexual orientation you’re on and also how sensitive you are.

Also, if I hear one more person compare homosexuality to an ethnicity I’m going to blank someone. Gender is determined by the parts you are born with. The only people that I can believe are truly confused are those born with both sets. Other than that, its really easy. The penis was designed for the vagina. They are a match. Never designed for the mouth or anus and thats boy/boy or boy/girl. But we tend to do what are bodies want to do. What can sperm do in either end of the digestive system? Nothing.

You’re born black, white, brown, yellow or mixed. You’re born a boy or a girl. We are mammals. Bipeds. A women is a male’s NATURAL partner in the same vein as all the other mammals on earth. Anything outside of that would be considered “unnatural”. The difference is the mind. Ours is more developed and more complex and thus capable of far more confusion than those species beneath us. For a man to be with a man and a woman a woman is illogical. The two cannot procreate under normal methods even when both parties are completely healthy.

And for all those that say it’s not in the mind and not about sex but relationships, i say bull blank. Its called “sexual” orientation for a reason. You are physically (sexually) attracted to the same sex as well as mentally etc. Mutual sexual attraction usually ends up in some sort of physical exchange.

Anyways, with the advent of Science (man’s intent on proving why things are the way that they are from a factual and non-spiritual perspective) scientists have come up with numerous “theories” which are not “facts” as to scientifically justify or prove the legitimacy of homosexuality.

Brianna | April 13, 2011 at 10:23 pm

What Kobe did was an accident. He acted out of frustration and anger. He is human and makes mistakes. The term that was used is offensive, I agree, but he apoligized for it. He did not say it to hurt anyones feelings, it just slipped out. Give him a break. He is an inspiration for so many people and he has done so many things to help out, is everyone really going to get mad over one thing? People are making this into more than it needs to be. I don’t think that he is the only NBA player to ever let his mouth slip. I don’t see everyone else making a big fuss when other players say something offensive. They only wait for the stars or the heros to make one mistake and then they jump all over it. Give him a break and just move on.

Oscar | April 13, 2011 at 10:32 pm

I love that the pro-Kobe fans are complete idiots. They can’t spell, can’t formulate a thought, can’t do anything but support their beloved Lakers and Kobe. NIGGER NIGGER NIGGER NIGGER NIGGER NIGGA NIGGA NIGGA NIGGA NIGGA!!?!?! Do you like that? I didn’t think so. DON’T USE FAG. PERIOD. Both words have negative connotations, just because the word isn’t your “cross” doesn’t mean you can use it freely.

lala | April 13, 2011 at 10:41 pm

who gives a fuck all of you are stupid and immature people you think kobe gives a fuck his still getting paid while you guys are blogging about some bull shit ass word 100,000 aint shit to him he will pay that in no time while you guys still here bunch of idiots.

mikey | April 14, 2011 at 10:40 am

I can’t believe I ever read this crap, happened to stuble upon it while poking around the net. What ever happened to free speech. This entire issue should never have been mentioned. It’s meaningless Just because he’s Kobe just because he’s a celebrity.

I can’t believe I even read this crap, let alone respond to it. Holy fuckin shit, I’m becoming a asshole like the rest of you “fucking fags”

Black & Proud | April 14, 2011 at 12:20 pm

Give me a break, he said fag so what. All of a sudden white America is so offended by the word. And when whitEEEEE get offended all hell breaks loose. But they love the word NiGger thats ok.

David | April 17, 2011 at 1:20 pm

Well, unfortunately the vitriol spewed from people defending Kobe’s use of a slur tells us all, gay and straight, that a large segment of the populations thinks its fine to make fun of other people, to demean people, to make them feel second class or inhuman. For those of you who say those things, let me say: I hope that people have more grace to you when you are a part of the “other” group that is being degraded than you have for gay people.

Aiko Cleark | April 23, 2011 at 3:54 pm

Thanks for an idea, you sparked at thought from a angle I hadn’t given thoguht to yet. Now lets see if I can do something with it.

TG | April 25, 2011 at 8:46 am

lol, honestly it should not be this big of a deal. Im 100 percent sure that everyone has used a slur at least once in their lifetime. If people are really going to freak out about 2 words then they have issues. Tell me what this is gonna matter in the next 10 years. nada dayum thang! unless people continue to blow it up and make a scene about it. CHILL OUT

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