Dolphins player fined for response to gay player Michael Sam being drafted

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http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10919412/don-jones-miami-dolphins-apologizes-fined-tweet-reacting-rams-selection-michael-sam

Don Jones apologies for tweet


Updated: May 11, 2014, 11:29 PM ET

By  James Walker | ESPN.com



 
MIAMI - The Miami Dolphins have fined second-year defensive back Don Jones an undisclosed amount and excused him from the team following critical remarks towards Michael Sam, who recently became the first openly gay athlete drafted by the NFL.

Jones took to Twitter Saturday soon after Sam was drafted and tweeted "OMG" and "horrible." He later deleted those tweets.



The Dolphins acted quickly, fining defensive back Don Jones one day after tweeting critical remarks toward Michael Sam.

Jones met with the Dolphins' brass about his comments Sunday before the team ruled on his punishment. He must undergo educational training before he can return to the Dolphins, according to the team.

Jones apologized to Sam in his first public comments about the situation.

"I want to apologize to Michael Sam for the inappropriate comments that I made last night on social media," Jones said. "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. [Stephen] 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."

Jones was drafted by the Dolphins in the seventh round in 2013. He was one of the team's top special teams players and finished with 10 tackles last season.

"We were disappointed to read Don's tweets during the NFL Draft," Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin said in a statement. "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."

Jones became the second Dolphins player in the past several days to make controversial statements on social media. When Miami drafted first-round pick Ja'Wuan James on Thursday, Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey tweeted "I can't wait for our gifts he's getting us." The comment was in poor taste following the Ted Wells report last February, where Pouncey and former teammates Richie Incognito and John Jerry were cited for bullying and harassing former Dolphin Jonathan Martin.

Pouncey shut down his Twitter account after meeting with the Dolphins' brass this weekend.

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We truly live in an upside down Bizarro world.   Words can't even describe my outrage to a camera being at Michael Sam's home and what transpired. Seeing male homosexuality on camera is one of the most disgusting things I've seen in a sports related event. 

 It was as predictable as day and night that the homosexual lobby and their media allies would exploit Michael Sam's situation as much as they could for their hideous agenda.     Yet,  when a player from another team reacts basically the way that I did when seeing what took place on camera,  he gets fined and excused from the team for at least the time being.    It's tragic how quickly society is going downhill.  Don Jones had NOTHING to apologize for!