Kobe Bryant Takes Stand Against Anti-Gay Tweets
Apparently Kobe Bryant has truly learned from his brief moment of anti-gay infamy. Two years after issuing an apology for hurling the f-word at a referee, the NBA star corrected one of his Twitter followers for using the word “gay” in a derogatory manner.
Over the weekend, Bryant received a tweet from @pooke09 saying that he wanted to “make out in bed” with him. Afterward, another follower, @PacSmoove, tweeted the response: “You’re gay.”
Immediately, the Lakers guard intervened in the growing anti-gay dialogue, tweeting: “Just letting you know@PacSmoove @pookeo9 that using ‘your gay’ as a way to put someone down ain’t ok! #notcool delete that out ur vocab.”
After Bryant hurled the anti-gay f-bomb at a referee in April 2011, he was fined $10,000. His well publicized moment wasn’t lost on @pookeo9, who replied: “Come on Kobe...you called a ref a F*****. Don't preach, just win.” To which Bryant shot back: “Exactly! That wasn't cool and was ignorant on my part. I own it and learn from it and expect the same from others.” Now if only this kind of sensitivity could spread to other professional athletes.
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(Photo: Harry How/Getty Images)