The NFL's first openly gay player was drafted on Saturday. To be sure the NFL has had gay players before; Sam is just the first to openly say so prior to joining a team.
The reactions are varied, as you can imagine.
There seems to be a plethora of support for Sam. ESPN and the NFL Network certainly supported the move.
There was one negative comment from an NFL player, a safety from the Dolphins, who tweeted (oh that damned Twitter!) "OMG" when Sam was drafted. Then when it showed Sam with his significant other on TV, the safety, Donald Jones, tweeted "horrible" when he saw Sam kissing his boyfriend.
It took the Dolphins about a nano-second to fine and suspend him.
Now, I imagine - and these people would have a point - many will cry afoul of free speech. Jones has the freedom to say what he wishes. And his employer (the Dolphins) have the right to discipline him. Just as any of us can be disciplined by our employers for foolish things we may state in public or via social media.
I think it's more significant that the Dolphins appear to be a mess as a franchise (remember the Incognito bullying debacle from last year?), so they are trying to squash things immediately.
Just imagine what would happen today if a teammate saw an African American player being drafted and tweeted "OMG" or "horrible"? Now contrast that with 50 years ago.
I see where some on the far right are crying afoul of free speech on grounds of religious freedom. I can see their point (I don't agree with it, but I can see their point).
Times they are a changing.
2 comments:
Speaking of Freedom of Speech, what are your thought on the "Siouxper Drunk" Springfest shirts grabbing national attention?
Oh boy. I haven't heard that. Considering how much trouble one sorority got into over a banner along the lines of "You can take our mascot, but you can't take our pride," I don't think UND administration will look too kindly on this one. I would imagine, though, that NDSU students will eat that up.
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