Manny Pacquiao On Gay Marriage: Five Athletes That Caused Controversy with Homophobic Comments

Manny Pacquiao has gotten himself into hot water recently over his comments about same-sex marriage.

The boxer spoke out against gay marriage, quoting Bible passages that state engaging in homosexual activity is a sin. He made his remarks in response to President Barack Obama's recent stand that gay marriage should be legal.

Pacquiao has garnered a lot of criticism for his comments, even being banned from the Grove shopping mall in Los Angeles.

Pacquiao did try to clarify his statements, saying he does not hate gay people.

I'm not against gay people.? I have a relative who is also gay, said the boxer. We can't help it if they were born that way. What I'm critical off are actions that violate the word of God. I only gave out my opinion that same-sex marriage is against the law of God.

Despite his attempts to deflect the criticism, Pacquiao has somewhat damaged his image.

But Pacquiao certainly isn't alone.

Several athletes before him have gotten themselves into trouble with comments or slurs regarding homosexuals.

Here are five other sports figures that have caused controversy because of anti-gay slurs or statements about same-sex marriage.

Tim Hardaway

Hardaway retired in 2003, but made headlines in 2007 with his comments about gay people. The former point guard made some scathing remarks when he was asked about John Amaechi, a former NBA player who came out after retiring.

First of all, I wouldn't want him on my team, said Hardaway. You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known. I don't like gay people and I don't like to be around gay people. I am homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States.

Hardaway eventually apologized, asking for a second chance.

Kobe Bryant

In 2011, Bryant was fined $100,000 after yelling at a referee during a game. The Lakers guard called ref Bennie Adams a derogatory gay term after he received a technical foul.

Bryant apologized for his remarks, saying, What I said last night should not be taken literally. My actions were out of frustration during the heat of the game.

The incident caused Bryant to become a target of some gay activist groups.

Joakim Noah

Noah, like Kobe Bryant, got in trouble after calling someone a f****t during a game. He directed his comments at a fan, instead of a ref.

The Bulls center yelled at a fan while sitting on the bench, and his actions were caught on camera by TNT. Noah was fined $50,000.

He later apologized and said the fine was merited.

DeSean Jackson

Jackson got himself into hot water during a radio interview.

The Eagles wide receiver appeared on Sirius XM radio, and took some calls from fans. One made a joke about Jackson's genitalia and Jackson responded by saying, What type of question is that? Say 'no homo', gay-a**-f****t.

Jackson later said he should have used a better choice of words.

David Tyree

Tyree hasn't played in the NFL since making perhaps the most memorable catch in the history of the sport, but he's kept himself in the news. The Super Bowl hero has spoken out against gay marriage on numerous occasions.

The former wide out hasn't used any gay slurs in public, but has been criticized for vehemently opposing same-sex marriage. Tyree even went as far to say that he would trade his Super Bowl victory if it meant stopping gay marriage from becoming legal.