Dolphins fine, suspend Don Jones from offseason program

[Just Passin' By]

Just as the Dolphins were watching the Jonathan Martin/Richie Incognito mess fade into the distance, another member of the team has created a situation with which the team dealt swiftly and decisively.

The Dolphins announced that cornerback Don Jones has been fined by the team and excused from offseason workouts “until such time that he undergoes and completes educational training for his recent comments made on social media during the NFL Draft.”

Specifically, Jones posted disapproving comments on Twitter after the Rams drafted defensive end Michael Sam — and after ESPN showed an on-air kiss between Sam and another man who wasn’t his twin brother. Jones said “omg” after the kiss was televised, and later called the moment “horrible.”

“I want to apologize to Michael Sam for the inappropriate comments that I made last night on social media,” Jones said in a statement released by the team. “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. I sincerely apologize to Mr. Ross, my teammates, coaches, staff and fans for these tweets. 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.”

“We were disappointed to read Don’s tweets during the NFL Draft,” coach Joe 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. We will continue to emphasize and educate our players that these statements will not be tolerated.”

While Jones’ comments were inappropriate and merit scorn from the general public, it’s tricky to punish a player for views expressed on his own time via his own Twitter page while away from the workplace regarding someone who isn’t even on his team. Plenty of NFL players have made homophobic remarks over the years on Twitter and elsewhere; those comments often are ignored by their teams. Why does the fact that Jones’ remarks — which were far more tame than some of the stuff other NFL players have said about homosexuals — related to a player on another NFL team make them automatically worthy of punishment?

That’s not a rhetorical question. If the arrival of an openly gay man on an NFL team is going to subject players to punishment for saying things that reflect intolerance of homosexuality, all players deserve the benefit of clear guidance as to what will trigger adverse action from their employer.

If the NFL isn’t going to provide it voluntarily, the NFLPA needs to demand it.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...eason-program/

[Gadzooks]

This was an egregious stunt by Sam prior to the draft. Instant fallout should have been expected.

Don Jones is the scapegoat. The world is happy and will move forward.

Can we move on to a new story?

[bowener]

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

This was an egregious stunt by Sam prior to the draft. Instant fallout should have been expected.

Don Jones is the scapegoat. The world is happy and will move forward.

Can we move on to a new story?

What was the stunt? Coming out before a reporter released an article about him being gay?

Originally Posted by Dante84

Dude.

I was just thinking about that as well.

Homophobia needs to be lumped in with racism. It's 2014.

Except we don't censor racists. Can you imagine how difficult that would make our job? We censor slurs. I don't see any slurs here. The man is welcome to his opinion no matter how unpopular it has become.

[HoneyBadger]

I'm finding it so strange how people are saying "freedom of speech" and how dumb it is to punish him for his opinion. However just 2 weeks ago people were out to kill Sterling for his personal beliefs. Amazing how people's minds work.

[Gadzooks]

Originally Posted by bowener

What was the stunt? Coming out before a reporter released an article about him being gay?

I Didn't know about that. I didn't know a reporter could do that without being sued, (Tom Cruise, John Travolta)

As far as I knew, asserting the accusation that someone is gay through the media would be considered slander. Tom's got a ton of money to prove it.

If the article was planned an sanctioned by Sam, it was a stunt.

[Dante84]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Except we don't censor racists. Can you imagine how difficult that would make our job?

Yeah, you'd have to shut down DC.

It would be terrible.

[Predarat]

They need to tack on to his suspension for saying OMG and offending Christians.

[Shox]

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

I Didn't know about that. I didn't know a reporter could do that without being sued, (Tom Cruise, John Travolta)

As far as I knew, asserting the accusation that someone is gay through the media would be considered slander. Tom's got a ton of money to prove it.

If the article was planned an sanctioned by Sam, it was a stunt.

Why would it be slander? I thought there was supposed to be nothing wrong with being gay.

[notorious]

Originally Posted by Dante84

Yeah, you'd have to shut down DC.

It would be terrible.

It would be like burning down the local rat and cockroach sanctuary house.

It sounds good in theory until you figure out that the critters end up finding a new home.

[Just Passin' By]

Originally Posted by Dante84

Freedom to speak ill of someone because of race/gender/religion/sexuality/physical ability.

Freedom to suspend and/or fire someone for making your company look bad and representing them in what you perceive to be a poor light.

At will at its finest.

America at its finest.

SMELL THAT FREEDOM.

Originally Posted by Dante84

Not a free speech violation at all.

He was free to say that.

They are free to react.

Originally Posted by Dante84

Pouncey said stupid shit this weekend, too. Said he "can't wait to see what the rookie is going to buy them," or something to that effect.

I hope he gets the same penalty.

If I ever make a post implying you're not a asshat, remind me of these posts of yours so I'll know better.

[King_Chief_Fan]

Originally Posted by Predarat

They need to tack on to his suspension for saying OMG and offending Christians.

you mean OMG does not stand for oh my goodness...or oh my gosh?

[King_Chief_Fan]

Originally Posted by Dante84

I'm not saying the Sam situation; I'm saying they probably had meetings about not saying stupid shit on social media, watching what you text, and probably a bunch of HR do's and don'ts.

I am an HR guy...do I have to start politically correcting this board?

Interesting you call them HR do's and don'ts.

[Reaper16]

Free speech does not mean free from consequences of speech, episode 781,394.

[ShortRoundChief]

Originally Posted by bowener

I like Lombardi's stance.


Lombardi was more awesome than I knew.

That's so awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[bevischief]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

wow ... stupid shit like this might just change my mind about what the Dolphins did.

Maybe they do need to go all speech nazi to weed out the gutter trash like yourself. In fact, you should really consider that the world would be a better place without your worthless ass and step into oncoming traffic.

I also have to wonder whether or not Chiefsplanet needs to ban your ass for such a twisted homophobic statement. Similar to a racists comment ban.

post reported

I agree.