Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Tweet
 

Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for anti-Michael Sam tweet


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Miami Dolphins defensive back Don Jones has been fined an undisclosed amount by the team following an incident on Saturday where he sent out a tweet critical of Michael Sam. Jones has also been banned from team activities until he undergoes sensitivity training.

After St. Louis selected the openly gay Sam with the 249th overall pick in the seventh and final round of the NFL Draft, Sam was caught on camera kissing his boyfriend in celebration. Just after the kiss happened, Jones tweeted 'OMG' and 'Horrible.'

On Sunday night, Jones apologized for sending out the two tweets.

"I want to apologize to Michael Sam for the inappropriate comments that I made last night on social media," Jones said in a statement. "I take full responsibility for them and I regret that these tweets took away from his draft moment. I remember last year when I was drafted in the seventh round and all of the emotions and happiness I felt when I received the call that gave me an opportunity to play for an NFL team and I wish him all the best in his NFL career."

Jones didn't just apologize to Sam either. He also apologized to the Dolphins: "I sincerely apologize to Mr. Ross, my teammates, coaches, staff and fans for these tweets," Jones said. "I am committed to represent the values of the Miami Dolphins organization and appreciate the opportunity I have been given to do so going forward."

Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey made it clear on Saturday night that the team wouldn't tolerate Jones' actions and coach Joe Philbin echoed that sentiment on Sunday.

“We were disappointed to read Don's tweets during the NFL Draft," Philbin said. "They were inappropriate and unacceptable, and we regret the negative impact these comments had on such an important weekend for the NFL. We met with Don today about respect, discrimination and judgment. These comments are not consistent with the values and standards of our program."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLUA5Y7GQ0E

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

Good he deserved it.

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

You serious?

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

As a heart attack. Weather being a choice or by birth homosexuality has been a fact of life since biblical times. You have every right to be gay. You also have every right to be against homosexuality. However we as a nation should not regulate someones relationships or discriminate against homosexuals. Also the Dolphins and the NFL are employers. Homophobia has no place in the workplace. Like it or not thats where we are in America.

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

I think that we need to be careful how we express ourselves. However, I also believe that our 1st Amendment rights of free speech are being eroded at an alarming rate.

We are turning into a witch hunting nation which only fuels the flames of dissent.

I doubt Michael Sam could have cared less what Don Jones tweeted. Note that I choose "could have cared less", which means he might have cared to some degree, but not enough to lose sleep over.

It is the media who cares because, they need a story and they need sensationalism to keep viewers.

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

1st amendment has to do with Govt legal action for something you said. It has nothing to do with your employer. Money doesnt have a sex, religion, age, or sexual preference. When you make bigotry comments about a client base, you are hurting companies bottom lines. You will be fired/suspended/fined. Sorry but if you are famous just shut up and make your money. I dont look to ball player or tv stars for religion and or societal statements.

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

So, when employers of those that aren't necessarily "famous" and don't make big bucks, start dictating that we can't express our christian beliefs in the work place, then what? Do you think the employee should be fined? Suspended? Fired?

My current employer has already forbidden wishing people Merry Christmas. We are supposed to say "Happy Holidays" so that we don't OFFEND anyone. Yet some aspects of these "holidays", as a bundle, are offensive to me as a christian.

Since when does an employer, who is not supposed to discriminate one way or another, have the right to promote one over the other?

Are we as christians supposed to crawl under a rock due to our employers "bottom line" concerns? Since when does "bottom line" take precedence over constitutional rights?

First its Christmas, what will be next? A female co-worker pats me on the behind and I'm supposed to "tolerate" that as a sign of affection? Will that be next? (I sure hope not cause I will get fired if that were to happen)

And I am talking about IN the work place. I could say much more for things done OUTSIDE the work place.

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

The work place is the work place. The constitution protects you from govt action against you. Why is that so hard to comprehend?

A co-worker touching your behind is sexual harassment. Sue your employer if they tolerate that.

An employer cant discriminate in their hiring practices. That includes sex,age,religion,sexual preference.

Its not rocket science.

What do you want? The right to walk around and condemn people to hell? Not everyone is christian.

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

An employer also has the responsibility to exercise caution in regulating speech in the workplace. They will end up with unmotivated and unhappy workers.

What if someone like Don Jones has a religious opinion against homosexuality? He shouldn't be forced to submit to "sensitivity training". That violates his religious freedom.

Something is wrong with our country when many can say, "It's a great thing for the league to have it's first openly gay player drafted into the NFL", but then NO ONE else gets to have a dissenting view.

NO ONE else gets to say anything UNLESS in agreement. Something is wrong with that picture. Just shut your mouth and agree or you will be fined.

Total nonsense that is out of control.

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

Ironic that you give all the rights to homos, and none to people who are offended by it. To you, it's okay for homos to push their perversion on everyone, and we just have to be quiet and allow it.

Even a few homos were against what happened to Jones. They understand that people should be free to say what they want without fear of retaliation. It was his personal comment.

It's insane that "OMG" and "Horrible" caused Jones to not just be fined, but dismissed from the team until he completes sensitivity education!?!

Have we become a communist nation, where people who violate certain speech laws are forced to be brainwashed and re-programmed to what the government deems acceptable.

Of course, no one complained when commentators and players made fun of Tebow's faith....but that's the new, liberal America. Faith is to be mocked and perversion is to be celebrated.

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

:thumbsup :thumbsup

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

You have the right to boycott homos all you want. The minute you do it on your companies time, is the minute you will get fired/suspended. Being game is becoming more and more accepted by non religious people. Thats just how it is. Get over it.

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

The Myth of "Homophobia"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uEBympLJ1M

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

I dont believe if you speak out against something you are afraid of said thing. But homophobia is real weather you like it or not. I have seen it personally from people I have been around. I have see members of my family curl up in a ball and try to scoot their chairs away from a gay couple that was sat down next to us at a restaurant. You would have thought they had some disease that my family member would catch if they didnt scoot away from them. Also have you ever heard some people talk about gays? Homophobia is real.

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

Being game? I believe you meant, gay, and no, I won't "get over it." Just as I won't "get over it" about abortion or adultery or any other kind of sin.

No Christian should ever "get over it" with regards to sin.

Are you a Christian?

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

Also....Jones wasn't on Dolphins time. He was at his home, using his phone or pc to tweet on his personal account.

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

Everything you put on social network is not personal or private. Its public. Again, when you are famous and in the spotlight, you really are always on the teams time.

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

I am not saying get over sin. What I meant was that being gay is becoming more and more acceptable. Speaking out against it isnt.

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

So what are you saying? It sounds like what your saying is Christians and others should shut up and not speak out because it's acceptable. I don't want to put words in your mouth, so please explain.

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

I disagree. They have private lives, too. Or are you saying we're all slaves and should have no voice or identity.

It's appalling that some believe famous people shouldn't have a voice...well, a conservative one. We know there's a massive double standard at play here. Even some gays acknowledge that.

It's rapidly coming to a point where there will be no free speech, and where simply stating one's personal or especially Christian beliefs will get you fined, fired, forced to be brainwashed or worse.

But I should just get over it...

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

Are you paid for working? If so your paid to work not talk.

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

Pretty much this. You are paid to perform a job, and as long as they are not actually infringing on your religious beliefs, then your religion really has no place on the job.

Which doesn't mean you don't have freedom of choice. If your job is asking you to do something that violates your religious convictions, then you are obviously not right for the job, and need to find another one.

And really, how is saying happy "holy-days" really an affront to your christian sensibilities?

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

I think that's the fear talking.

Let me ask you this. There are some fundamentalist Christians that feel that a woman's place is in the home, and not working in corporate america. Do you think that such a one should have the "freedom of speech" to go around telling their female coworkers that they should be home cooking for their husband and having babies the way God intended?

My answers is that they should not. There is a line where freedom of speech becomes harassment.

I don't understand what it is about this one action that makes christians so angry and afraid of gay people. I don't see you all running around all the time freaking out over all he premarital sex going on in the world. Oh no, I work with a guy who's shacking up with his girlfriend. I better tell everyone who will listen how depraved and licentious I think he is! And I better not ever be nice or talk to him, or people might think I approve, or even worse that I might shack up with someone!

I mean, so you think homosexuality is a sin. So what? The world is filled with sinners, and it shouldn't come as a big shock that sinner's sin. Why does that make you so afraid?

I don't remember anywhere in the Bible (but granted, I'm rusty) where God commands us to demand that we MAKE unregenerated unbelievers live according to a certain moral code.

(For the record, I am pro-equality, and do not have a moral problem with same-sex monogamous relationships)

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

Homophobia is fake. Sinophobia is real. O my GOD sinners everywhere. Do you go outside? Or do you just stay inside and pray all day? This is directed toward ndavid.

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

One of the dumbest posts I've read...and I've read some really dumb posts.

Seriously, stupid.

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

It's not fear, when Mozilla's CEO was forced to resign for simply contributing his personal finances to the Prop8 campaign against gay marriage. It's not fear, when Phil Robertson was nearly taken off Duck Dynasty for answering a reporter's questions about his beliefs. It's not fear, when last week HGTV cancelled a show because the two cast members are on video from previous years speaking against gay marriage. It's not fear, when more and more people are either fired, forced to resign or take some brainwashed sensitivity course.

It's reality, not fear.

Of course there's a line where it becomes harrassment, and harrassment is and should be against employment rules.

"OMG" and "Horrible" are NOT harrassment. Period

I'm not afraid of gay people. I tolerate and respect them as a human being. I don't get angry when they push their trash. All I want is the same tolerance in return -- that I, too, am able to express MY belief and opinion without being called a bigot, hater, or worse.

Again, it's not about fear. It's about being able to say what I believe without being forced to take some brainwashed sensitivity course or getting fired or forced to resign. I tolerate them, they should do the same in return. You're obviously not getting it.

Where in any post I've made here, have I demanded they live to a certain moral code. Please, show me. I'll help you. I haven't. All I've stated is that it's unfathomable that people can't even express their own opinions anymore, without the gays freaking out and demanding people get fired or forced to apologize and get brainwashed.

BTW, I'm not alone on this...even some gays have an issue with what has happened to the Mozilla CEO, HGTV show and now this NFL player.

I'm not surprised.

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

Not sure you know, Christmas is a US Government recognized holiday, made so in 1870. It's not just some religious holy day. It's a federally recognized holiday. Saying Merry Christmas should not be banned or discouraged, as it's simply acknowledging the federal holiday.

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

What did Jesus say when the woman was brought before him who was caught in the act of adultery? Or the woman at the well? What kind of people did Jesus hang around with? What was Jesus' response when the woman with the issue of blood touched him?

I think if Jesus were here today, the Parable of the Good Samaritan, would most likely be the Parable of the Good homosexual.

I have no problem with you (or anyone else's) spiritual views on homosexuality. What I DO have a problem with is how these views are unfairly (IMO) used to treat a class of people as less than human. (i.e. denying them their fundamentals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as per the constitution).

I also have a problem with how your express yourself, because I think it gives Christians (and Jesus) a bad name. You can say "I don't agree with the life choices you are making, but Jesus loves you and so do I, and I'll be praying for you."

IMO, Jesus would not say "OMG" and "Horrible" if he saw 2 people of the same-sex kissing.

I honestly think this is a speck in your eye, situation. (I am speaking of Conservative Christianity in general).

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

I agree with this.

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

Modzilla CEO wasnt forced to resign.

Yes, he was.

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

Maybe I misunderstood the story then.

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

O and I agree with you NDavid regarding the sensitivity training garbage.

You continue to show that you're not getting it. I don't care about any of this...it has absolutely nothing to do with my point. All I want is for everyone to be free to have an opinion. Thus far within just the past month, I've seen where if your opinion happens to be against gay marriage or homosexuality, you're labeled a bigot, fired, forced to resign or get brainwashed.

Oh please. People keep trying to project gays into the bible. First it was the centurion's slave, now this. Hogwash.

Straw man. I've done no such thing. Seriously, did you even read my posts here?

Straw man. Again, all I've said is it's ridiculous that people can't express their opinions anymore. How on God's green earth is that giving Christians a bad name.
No, you probably think He'd officiate their marriage ceremony. Ohhh, I bet the marriage at Canaan, where Jesus turned water into wine...you know, Jesus' first miracle. I bet that was a gay marriage ceremony!

:thumbsup.

Michael Sam also had a reality TV show already lined up for OWN...before he was even drafted. It's ridiculous. A 7th round "tweener," who likely won't make the team, already has an endorsement deal and reality show. All because of what he does in the bedroom with other men.

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

Actually, I mostly agree with this. I think people actually have the right to be bigots, and racists, and zealots, or whatever (that actually sounds less nice then I mean it, but I am talking the extreme of the spectrum). However, there is a time and a place for sharing your views. AND if you are in a position where your views could negatively effect the bottom line of the corporate profits, then, I can see where it's probably going to get you fired.




LOL, that wasn't my intention at all. Though, I'm sure there WERE gay people in biblical times. My point was (and if you hear nothing else I said, please hear this) IS when it comes to gay people WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

How would he respond, how would he react to them, how would he treat them? He had a reputation for hanging out with sinners. He loved them. He called them friend.

The ONLY people that disgusted him, were the thieves in the temple, and the Pharisees. Not those that the law considered unclean, not those living sinful lives, not those who were far from God.

Matthew 9:9-13 (New International Version)
The Calling of Matthew

9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

As Christians we need to focus less on what everyone else is doing, and ask if we are being Jesus to the world.

Sometimes we succeed. I left the church and for a long time anything having to do with organized Christianity. I had premarital sex. My boyfriend moved in with me. I got pregnant out of wedlock. At which point I knowingly and purposely married an Atheist.

And yet people have loved me, and embraced me and prayed for me, and called me friend and sister. Even though I do not regret my actions. (I love my husband and daughter so much, I'd do it again.)

And you know what I don't get? Judgement. I don't get "don't be unequally yoked" shoved down my throat when I share my struggles to share Jesus with my toddler and my husbands objections. I get love and understanding and prayers.

And I know what most believe. I know where they stand spiritually on my life decisions, and my spiritual views, etc. And yet they show me love. And so I see Jesus in that.

I just don't understand why that same love can't be shown to gay people. It doesn't mean that you accept their life choices, just that you accept and love them because they are made in the image of Jesus, and He loves them.

I don't mean to sound preachy, and I know this isn't even the topic. It just saddens me.

(I'll go back and read and address the other things you said. But i'll warn you that you'll most likely be disappointed, I tend to debate with emotion and life experience, not rhetoric)

LoL. And there it is. Let me ask you...are all people who do not accept homosexuality (ie majority of Christians) bigots? Also, the Mozilla CEO wasn't sharing his views. He wasn't talking about anything. He simply donated money to the Prop8 campaign and a gay group found it and made a big deal out of it. And the HGTV cast members also said nothing on the show....it was because of personal beliefs said before the show was made which the same gay group made a big deal of. What's happening isn't people harassing gays at work, it's been things done personally, and away from work.

He wouldn't celebrate their sin.

I'm sorry, but Jesus did not call the sinners "friend." This is a common error, often repeated. It was others who said Jesus was a friend of publicans and sinners; however, Jesus Himself never once called them friend.

What did Jesus tell the woman caught in adultery? Did He hug her and bid her blessings? No. He said, "Go, and sin no more." It's fallacy to think Jesus would not do the same with a homosexual.

The Nearly Inspired Version omits the key part of the last verse.

Matthew 9:13 KJV
But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Matthew 9:13 AMP
Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy [that is, readiness to help those in trouble] and not sacrifice and sacrificial victims. For I came not to call and invite [to repentance] the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), but sinners (the erring ones and all those not free from sin). [Hos. 6:6.]

Big difference. Huge! Jesus came, not to call the righteous, but call the sinner... To what, hang out and enjoy each others company? No! Call them to REPENTANCE! To change their lives. To leave their life of sin.

Re: Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Twe
 

Actually, no, I meant to post that verse, that was actually the main verse I wanted! Because I wanted to point out that Jesus is about compassion and mercy.

This whole conversation has just made me so sad. Like, tears rolling down your cheeks at work, and the feeling that there is just an irreconcilable difference and no amount of conversation is going to change that.

Usually this only happens when I am trying to convince my husband that sunday school once a week will not scar our daughter for life.

You know that feeling, when you feel so strongly that God is telling you something or has shown you something, or impressed something upon your soul, and others don't get it or think you're crazy or just plain deceived?

When I think of how Jesus wooed me, how He forgives my blindness and my weaknesses and always reaches out for me when I fall short, His infinite patience when I've turned away, and most of all the reminder that nothing I do will ever increase or decrease the love He has for me.

I don't know much. I don't usually claim the title of Christian. I've been to a church 3 times in the past 7 years. (all in the last month) I came from a horrible place spiritually, go back, look for posts in 2007 under Michlow, and you will find plenty of bitterness, and anger, and despair and confusion. And I felt alone and rejected and abandoned.

For a long time, I couldn't see any light, only darkness. And it was only through the patient, unconditional love of Jesus that I was emotionally, and spiritually healed.

So I guess I feel a burden to be to others what Jesus was to me.

But I want to apologize, because I think in my zeal, I came off as judgmental and harsh, and that wasn't my intention. I just feel such a burden for those that feel that the church, and Christians, and God have rejected and abandoned them.

I already confessed that I don't morally have a problem with same-sex monogamous relationships. But ultimately, I believe that if I can show people Jesus, and He draws them near, He will show them what He wants of their lives.