Kobe Bryant, fined this afternoon $100,000 for his Tuesday night anti-gay slur directed at a referee has said he will appeal the fine as a matter of “standard protocol.” The Lakers superstar basketball player issued what amounted to a non-apology Wednesday afternoon, blaming “frustration” for his outburst, in which he called a referee a “fucking fag.”
Watch: “Kobe Bryant Calls Ref A “Fucking Fag†On Camera (Video)“
“The concern that I have is for those that follow what I say … look to me as a role model .. for them not to take what was said as a message of hate or a license to degrade … or to embarrass or tease … because that’s something I don’t want to see have happen,” said Bryant, in a press conference, adding he wants to meet and talk with LGBT organizations.
Earlier in the day, Bryant “apologized,” stating, “What I said last night should not be taken literally,†Bryant 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.â€
Read: “Apology? Kobe Bryant: I Didn’t Mean The Word “Fag†Literally.“
Bryant never actually said he was sorry.
“Kobe Bryant’s comment during last night’s game was offensive and  inexcusable,†said Commissioner David Stern, who added, “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.â€