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Miami Heat basketball star Lebron James has apologized for referring to a reporter's question as “retarded'. 

One of the nation's largest advocacy groups for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, The Arc, called for James to apologize immediately.

“LeBron James should apologize immediately," said Peter Berns, chief executive officer of The Arc, in an online statement. "No matter the context, this language is very offensive to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, and an athlete admired by kids everywhere should recognize the power of his actions and words.”

The Miami Heat star muttered the word after Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Friday May 6th as he and Dwyane Wade listened to a question about Wade's takedown of Boston guard Rajon Rondo. 

James had his hand covering his mouth when he said "that's retarded" as a reporter asked Wade whether the play that dislocated Rondo's elbow was dirty.

After Game 4 on Monday, May 9th, James opened his postgame comments by apologizing for using "the R-word."

There has also been a movement nationwide to remove the “r” word and other outdated offensive phrases from state statutes.

Here in Missouri, Representative Genise Montecillo got a bill moved through the legislature and its been sent to Governor Jay Nixon's desk to be signed into law. The bill removes phrases such as “mentally retarded” and “handicapped” from all state statutes.

Monticello said, “Words matter and these terms are hurtful for those with disabilities, who have to work so much harder for the things most of us take for granted”.

The new bill substitutes the term “developmentally disabled”, “developmental disability” and “disabled” instead of using the “r” word.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story)