Dolphins fine and suspend DB Don Jones for Tweet

[oneinkhorn]

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





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."

[Fionn mac Cumh]

Good he deserved it.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Fionn mac Cumh

Good he deserved it.

You serious?

[Fionn mac Cumh]

Originally Posted by n david

You serious?

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.

[Pressing-On]

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.

[Fionn mac Cumh]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

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.

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.

[LadyRev]

Originally Posted by Fionn mac Cumh

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.

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.

[Fionn mac Cumh]

Originally Posted by LadyRev

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.

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.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Fionn mac Cumh

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.

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.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Fionn mac Cumh

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.

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.