(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."
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"It is especially damaging because of their increased public profile," says John Amaechi
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Sports leaders can "turn these negative events into a positive teachable moment," expert says
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Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 for his statement
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Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah was fined $50,000 for his slur
After a short suspension, an emotional @placeholder apologized at a news conference.
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 @placeholder.