A hustle play by L.A. Lakers basketball player Kobe Bryant led to a lawsuit against him from a fan who "felt like a human punching bag."

During a game in 2005 between the Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies, Bryant chased down a ball headed out of bounds and landed on fan Bill Geeslin, who was seated courtside.  Geeslin sued Bryant, claiming he was assaulted and was left with a bruised lung cavity.  Geeslin wanted in excess of $75,000.

“I recall a fast-paced incident seeing him come to me, running into me and then forearming me,” Geeslin said in a 2008 deposition. “He intentionally forearmed me in the chest. He did not apologize. He walked away and pushed — he kind of pushed his arm toward me and glared at me and walked away.”

Geeslin passed away shortly after filing the lawsuit (for causes not related to the incident), but his estate continued the case, which in 2010 was thrown out on summary judgment on grounds that no reasonable juror could conclude that Bryant intended to hurt Geeslin.  On appeal, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati upheld summary judgment on the emotional distress claim, but allowed the appeal to move forward on the claim of assault.

On the eve of jury trial, Bryant settled the case with the family.  The terms are undisclosed.

—Sources: probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com and sports.yahoo.com