Danno

Dolphins fine, suspend Don Jones from offseason program
Posted by Mike Florio on May 11, 2014, 10:36 PM EDT
Jones AP

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.

rezburna

They handled that better then the Eagles did with Cooper.

Danno

So you're equating someone's reaction to gay lovers kissing over and over to a redneck screaming the N-word at people?

I don't get that one.

I thought it was disgusting too. I don't like seeing it over and over and over and over again.

rezburna

I'm saying if they punished him so swiftly for not approving of same sex PDA I wonder why the Eagles dropped the ball with Cooper. Not equating. Saying more should have been done with Cooper by comparison.

SmashMouth

http://blackandgold.com/nfl/65895-nf...-standard.html

It's the age we live in now, more than likely.

lee909

The Dolphins dealt with the issue well. Wether you agree with his lifestyle or not there was no need for a player to put any comment up on social media. Players know everything they say is in the public eye and they need to start taking responsibility for anything they say. If you have nothing good to say keep shut.

The Dolphins were quick to get in warn/fine the player and tell advise him on comments on social media. They have done what any employer woylt do and have done it quickly killing any fire before it starts.

st thomas

it made me uncomfortable, i'm still trying to get used to seeing something that was blocked out for years in the media and to see it on every station u turn to is omg in my opinion. its here and its going to be more common the more we move on in life. my congrats to sam and good luck in this gruel world. and good luck to the St Louis rams , who have to put up with the media just waiting to pop on a fart.

Danno

Vaccaro tweeted "Oh My"

Should he be suspended?

alleycat_126

Think it, but don't tweet it!!!! Is Herm here........

73Saint

It was a little more than I wanted to see. And they just kept playing it over, and over AND OVER!!

I didn't realize Vaccaro tweeted "Oh my." All I kept thinking was I hope my dad's not watching the draft.

Not that there's anything wrong with that...