Kobe… Kobe… Kobe
In a previous blog I asked the question “Can anger give you an athletic edge?” For those who did not read it, the quick answer was yes, but only temporarily. Last night the NBA’s biggest clutch player, Kobe Bryant blurted out a homophobic slur on national TV in anger.
The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a 5 game skid. They have recent losses to teams they should easily beat. In my last blog I applauded Kobe Bryant for practicing anger management skills when his team mates were getting ejected from games for fighting. I may have clapped to soon.
Tuesday night Kobe Bryant received his 15th technical foul. His frustration is understandable but what came next is unexcusable. Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 for blurting out a homophobic slur to NBA referee Bennie Adams.
NBA Commissioner David Stern said. “Kobe Bryant’s comment during last night’s game was offensive and inexcusable,” “While I’m fully aware that basketball is an emotional game, such a distasteful term should never be tolerated. 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.”
The Human Rights Campaign, a national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, said in a statement it was a “disgrace” for Bryant to “use such horribly offensive and distasteful language, especially when millions of people are watching.”
Kobe Bryant later made a statement,”My actions were out of frustration during the heat of the game, period,” his statement read. “The words expressed do NOT reflect my feelings towards the gay and lesbian communities and were NOT meant to offend anyone.”
No matter where you stand on the lifestyle of another individual nothing good usually comes out of mocking it. Kobe Bryant’s actions despite his sincere apology has cost him a 100 grand, his reputation and a step closer to a possible suspension right before the playoffs.
Our heros, star athletes and celebrities are only human and they, like ourselves pay a price for their humanity. We can not rid ourselves of anger but we can learn to manage it. Just ask Ron Artest.
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