Kobe Bryant has issued a statement apologizing for last night's incident where he let his emotions get the best of him and was seen mouthing the words "f**king f**got" at an NBA referee.  Get the deets inside....

*UPDATE* Kobe was fined $100,000 by the NBA commissioner for this incident.

"Kobe Bryant's comment during last night’s game was offensive and inexcusable," NBA Commissioner David Stern said in a statement. "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."

During a tense moment in last nights Lakers Vs. Spurs game, Kobe Bryant was seen mouthing the word "f**got" towards a referee who charged him with a technical foul. 

He issued a statement earlier today saying,

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

He was forced to respond because the backlash was swift and intense.  The Human Rights Campaign lashed out at Kobe saying it is, "a disgrace for Kobe Bryant to use such horribly offensive and distasteful language, especially when millions of people are watching."

In a statement to TMZ they continued:

"Hopefully Mr. Bryant will recognize that as a person with such fame and influence, the use of such language not only offends millions of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) people around the world, but also perpetuates a culture of discrimination and hate that all of us, most notably Mr. Bryant, should be working to eradicate."

The Lakers front office was also contacted by The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Discrimination (GLAAD).  And they're far from happy.  I see ish is gettng REAL right before the playoffs....