People have emotions. Emotions can make you do and say stupid fucked up shit.

If someone is hurt as a result, then punishment is a necessity.

If someone's FEELINGS are hurt as a result, I suggest they grow a pair.

Blown incredibly out of proportion. I guarantee 90% of people who are complaining about what he said have said that phrase themself. I won't deny it, I've called someone a "f***in f***ot" before out of anger many times before and not becuase I have anything against homosexuals. Hell almost half my friends are gay/lesbo. I'd like to see a camera put on someone during a typical work day and see how many people don't have outbursts like that. We wouldn't even be having this conversation nor would he have to apologize if the camera wasn't on him while he was sitting on the bench, he still would've said it and angry soccer moms would've found some other minor issue in the media to complain about.

I have vocal outbursts at least 7 times a day. It got me fired more than one.

I tend more towards the extremely crude than the lifestyle-oriented.

IE: I'm much more likely to say "stupid fucking retard" than "faggot". Or, if it's a woman, "stupid fucking cunt" than "dyke".

I have made a conscious effort to try and control these outbursts better (because of the frequent job-loss it entails), but I've had less than stellar results.

Wasn't Kobe the one who raped a chick? I think that's a little worse than hurting the feelings of some (likely heterosexual) official.

I say this everyday to all those people who cry about things said about them.


Stick and stones may break my bones, but words will never do a thing.

It'd have to be a really fuckin' big stick to break my bones. Not to mention huge fuckin' rocks.

Celebrities make headlines in some magazines for walking their dogs sometimes, so obviously controversy would also net the media's attention/ controversy sells.

i'm going to roll with impulse, although either isn't a justifiable excuse for blowing up over a call by a referee you disagree with in any sport(you might be wrong in your disagreement anyway). Fag is such a commonly used insult that many do not think about its implications when they use it(not surprising I hear it at least six times a day to describe crappy shoes, annoying people, hairstyles etc.). I dunno if he's anti-gay or not, so I won't comment on that, but the situation was probably blown out of proportion, but this is the case whenever celebrities do anything, so I'm not surprised at all. Frustrations are normal, but I think he could of handled his displeasure with a bit more grace.

To be fair...if the official had gotten mad and called him "nigger" that official would've been fired and ostracized from society.

Really gotta watch what you say in this stupid ass world.

Well, I mean think about it, professionals should behave as such, mature adults can make a point without resorting to childish name calling and attacks. You can say whatever you want in your private life(whether it's offensive or not), bringing it to work is where the problems come into play.

I dunno of any job where you can say whatever you want without censure or punishment from your employer or society(aside from comedians[for obvious, funny reasons] and everyone's favorite, politicians

But a fine is quite different from losing one's job.

Personally, I think Kobe was just pissed and that's something I can very much relate to.

I've made stupid posts HERE when I was pissed off and I have often been punished for them, as I should be.

It's like the difference between getting skulls and getting permabanned and also put on a blacklist for every other website on the internet at the same time.

This is stupid. People are too sensitive. Walking on egg shells afraid that someone somewhere is going to overreact is stupid. Fuck everyone.

Very good points, agreed.