Kobe Bryant fined $100,000 for anti-gay slur to referee

The NBA has fined Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant $100,000 for shouting a gay slur at a referee during a game.

After getting called for a technical foul in a game against the San Antonio Spurs Tuesday night, Bryant erupted on the bench.

The All-Star threw a towel and yelled toward referee Bennie Adams.

Then Kobe muttered a homosexual slur.

According to ESPNLosAngeles , Bryant issued the following statement yesterday.

"What I said last night should not be taken literally," he said. "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".

Bryant also appeared on ESPN 710's Mason & Ireland show to reiterate his stance.

He acknowledged that he is a role model and said those who are inspired by him should not take what he said as a message of hate or license to degrade.