( CNN ) -- Gay slurs hurled by three figures in professional sports in the last month are more than just testosterone-fueled temper tantrums , some say . The behavior , they say , is symptomatic of a deeper problem and should be used as an opportunity to tackle homophobia in professional sports . `` Kobe Bryant , Joakim Noah and Roger McDowell are not any different from many people in our society who use offensive language like that on a daily basis , '' said Jarrod Chin of the Society for the Study of Sport in Society at Boston 's Northeastern University . `` These incidents provide a real opportunity for the NBA and MLB to take a strong stance against homophobia . '' In April , a frustrated Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant laced a referee with an epithet that gays find offensive . Bryant quickly apologized and was fined $ 100,000 . Bryant was apparently angry that the referee penalized him for a technical foul . In early May , Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell made national headlines for tossing anti-gay slurs at a group of fans in San Francisco . He also made crude gestures at the fans , in full view of children who were in the crowd . After a short suspension , an emotional McDowell apologized at a news conference . And last week , bombastic Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah was captured by television cameras lobbing a similar slur at a fan after his second foul in the game . Noah apologized right after the game and was slapped with a $ 50,000 fine . `` When sports stars use slurs , it is especially damaging because their increased public profile means many more people are exposed . These people seem to have lost sight of the fact that in their prime , in pivotal moments in games , they are one of the most influential people in the world , '' said former NBA player John Amaechi . Amaechi knows all too well about homophobia in sports . He is credited as being one of the few professional stars to admit he is gay . But Amaechi came out of the closet after he retired . He said he did not feel comfortable disclosing his orientation during his 5-year NBA stint . Amaechi says he still remembers the pointed response from NBA star Tim Hardaway that followed his disclosure . `` First of all , I would n't want him on my team , '' Hardaway told a radio host in 2007 . `` You know , I hate gay people , so I let it be known . I do n't like gay people and I do n't like to be around gay people . I am homophobic . I do n't like it . It should n't be in the world or in the United States . '' Hardaway later apologized for his statement -- but the sentiment persists among many athletes , Amaechi says . `` Sports stars need to remember that being a positive role model is as much a part of their job as making lay-ups , hitting home runs or scoring touchdowns , '' he said . Rick Welts , president and CEO of the Phoenix Suns , says he had kept his sexual orientation secret throughout his long career . Welts came out when the Kobe Bryant epithet caused a stir . He said Bryant 's slur solidified in his mind that he needed to go public . `` Well , the irony of the timing is it was the day before that I had been sitting in David Stern , the ( NBA ) commissioner 's office , to kind of discuss this with him . And then the next night , Kobe went off , '' Welts told CNN 's Eliot Spitzer . `` You know , I think it reinforced that probably it was time , because I think that will probably be remembered as a teaching moment . '' While his disclosure has been received positively for the most part , Welts says is apprehensive about his future and feels that he is in uncharted territory . `` I do n't know what my future is . I do n't know where my career is going to go , '' he said . `` I think that 's part of the big problem with players . There 's no example out there . No one has ever done it . No one really knows what 's going to happen . '' The NBA recently released a pubic service announcement featuring players Grant Hill and Jared Dudley about anti-gay language . `` Using gay to mean dumb or stupid ... Not cool , '' Hill says in the commercial that is running during the playoff games . `` It is offensive to gay people , '' Dudley adds . But some say more needs to be done . `` Male professional sports do have an issue with homophobia , but so does society in general , '' Chin , of Northeastern University , said . `` The NBA and MLB are great vehicles for educating folks about this issue and could really turn these negative events into a positive teachable moment . ''
` ` It is especially damaging because of their increased public profile , '' says John Anderson . Sports Illustrated ' ` ` all these negative events into a positive teachable lesson , '' expert says . Kobe Bryant was fined $ 5000 for his comments . Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah was fined $ 50,000 for his slur .