Don Jones Fined and Suspended for Tweets

[Ritzarmy]

Question what did he say that was that bad? He tweeted OMG Horrible. Now I am not gay so I don't know if that is offensive or not. I have a brother in law who is gay and happily married to a wonder guy. I have 2 coworker ladies who are lesbians so I am not bashing anyone here but just don't understand what he said was that bad. Could he have meant OMG Horrible pick by the Rams, or even if the tweet was about the kiss why is Jones not allowed to express that he didn't like seeing two men kiss? He should be free to express his feelings just like Sam should be free to express his sexuality.

 

[BritishDolfan]

Question what did he say that was that bad? He tweeted OMG Horrible. Now I am not gay so I don't know if that is offensive or not. I have a brother in law who is gay and happily married to a wonder guy. I have 2 coworker ladies who are lesbians so I am not bashing anyone here but just don't understand what he said was that bad. Could he have meant OMG Horrible pick by the Rams, or even if the tweet was about the kiss why is Jones not allowed to express that he didn't like seeing two men kiss? He should be free to express his feelings just like Sam should be free to express his sexuality.

I'm bisexual (as I think is well known on this board) and I don't think the actual tweets were necessarily offensive as such - although I think some people certainly would take offence at being implicitly called "horrible", but I can see why the Dolphins took a zero tolerance approach on it.

I think if he'd expressed it differently than "OMG Horrible!" (eg: "Good for him, but was the PDA necessary?" or similar) he might have been okay, although with what seems to be a zero tolerance approach maybe not.

 

[Ritzarmy]

I'm bisexual (as I think is well known on this board) and I don't think the actual tweets were necessarily offensive as such - although I think some people certainly would take offence at being implicitly called "horrible", but I can see why the Dolphins took a zero tolerance approach on it.

I think if he'd expressed it differently than "OMG Horrible!" (eg: "Good for him, but was the PDA necessary?" or similar) he might have been okay, although with what seems to be a zero tolerance approach maybe not.

I can understand that.

 

[Smart]

Libs: "We should tolerate everyone......unless, of course, you disagree with us."

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I agree a wise should mind his own business. Michael Sam should heed that advice too and not make a spectacle out of himself by being an attention whore. Obama called to congratulate him. Why? I don't believe anybody else that got drafted received a call. Once you announce your position, you should expect differing opinions.

I know there are gay players in the NFL right now, but this guy chose to challenge the theory of keeping his sexual preference to himself...I get it, to the gay community this was a big deal. Still, I'm not sure this action warranted a call from the prez...he really hasn't done anything yet...might not even make the team...the gay NBA player is at least on a roster.

His actions...agreed. He already told us he prefers to be with a man...more power to him. Had it been just a mooch on the lips or cheek I would not have given it much thought, but going into semi make out mode made it uncomfortable to watch for me. It would've been less so for a hetero couple only because we've all seen that a 1000 times, but in general, the public didn't need to see that imo.

That said, it's hard to blame ESPN since they were given access to his place...we can't expect them to turn the cameras off ....but, running it over and over I think the network milked it for ratings.

 

[BritishDolfan]

I know there are gay players in the NFL right now, but this guy chose to challenge the theory of keeping his sexual preference to himself

No-one should have to keep it to themselves if they don't want to (nor should anyone be forced to admit it either unless they are doing something stupidly homophobic). I do certainly have some sympathy with the points about the PDA not being necessary, but I think it's kind of an understandable reaction to what was clearly a pretty big moment for him.

That said, it's hard to blame ESPN since they were given access to his place...we can't expect them to turn the cameras off ....but, running it over and over I think the network milked it for ratings.

Agreed, that is pretty clear.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

No-one should have to keep it to themselves if they don't want to (nor should anyone be forced to admit it either unless they are doing something stupidly homophobic). I do certainly have some sympathy with the points about the PDA not being necessary, but I think it's kind of an understandable reaction to what was clearly a pretty big moment for him.

Agree 100%. FWIW...I'm happy for the guy, but by coming out I think we have to be realistic here and note that he likely cost himself some money. He certainly recognizes it, but if it gives him that piece of mind that we all seek regardless of why, it was well worth it.

What he has done is make it a little easier for the next guy...maybe the next guy won't cost himself money as a result.

 

[leftypower]

I agree a wise should mind his own business. Michael Sam should heed that advice too and not make a spectacle out of himself by being an attention whore. Obama called to congratulate him. Why? I don't believe anybody else that got drafted received a call. Once you announce your position, you should expect differing opinions.

 

[wazzu31]

Since Jones has to do sensitivity training, does Sam have to go do some how not to be a diva media whore training? One guy states his opinions and gets slapped, one guy uses his sexual preference to get fame, so which one is actually worse?

 

[tzorn10]

I don't want to beat a dead horse, but if I were Don Jones, i'd tell the Dolphins and the NFL to go fuck themselves. He did nothing wrong. If they punish him for having his own opinion, i'd get a lawyer.

 

[SonnyCID]

I don't want to beat a dead horse, but if I were Don Jones, i'd tell the Dolphins and the NFL to go fuck themselves. He did nothing wrong.

Sure you would. Fuck the opportunity of your dreams that you've worked your whole life for, right? :rollseyes:

If they punish him for having his own opinion, i'd get a lawyer.

And go broke rather than have a chance at millions.

 

[RoboticDreams]

Sure you would. Fuck the opportunity of your dreams that you've worked your whole life for, right? :rollseyes:



And go broke rather than have a chance at millions.

You always have a rational response, Sonny, and it always makes sense. Gotta question, though; have you ever taken a stand for anything at all or do you just find it easier to accept whatever it is that's being forced upon you, so as not to stir the proverbial pot ? Sure it's safe and it might appear the smart decision at the time but it's not always the case. It's like you are being bullied and bullied and you never ever fight back. There should be a limit to how much one takes before they break and do something about it. Nothing rash but something thought out in advance. Do you agree or no?

This wasn't really a jab at you so much as I wanted to get your thoughts on the matter.

 

[SonnyCID]

You always have a rational response, Sonny, and it always makes sense. Gotta question, though; have you ever taken a stand for anything at all or do you just find it easier to accept whatever it is that's being forced upon you, so as not to stir the proverbial pot ? Sure it's safe and it might appear the smart decision at the time but it's not always the case. It's like you are being bullied and bullied and you never ever fight back. There should be a limit to how much one takes before they break and do something about it. Nothing rash but something thought out in advance. Do you agree or no?

This wasn't really a jab at you so much as I wanted to get your thoughts on the matter.

Sure, I've taken a stand for what I believe in. I dont accept whatever is forced upon me but I try to choose my battles wisely.

I've bitten my tongue because too much was on the line. I just look at this from Jones point of view; he just wants to play ball and have an opportunity to provide for himself and his family. If he walks away, there is no opportunity out there that even comes close to this. Is it really THAT important to him that the world know that he was grossed out by watching 2 guys kiss?

I'll stand up for what I believe in if the cost of doing so is worth it. I think most people are the same. There is a balance of loss and gain vs principle, and this kid would have lost it all.

And maybe Jones truly doesn't care that much. Perhaps he just doesn't feel that strongly about it. And if he does feel very stongly about it, then his decision is sad. For the rest of his life, if he is going to regret not fighting the Dolphins and walking away, then he should fight it. I just doubt he cares that much.

 

[RoboticDreams]

I agree with you about Jones and this issue. I just can't believe it's come to suspensions over tweets that voice anything deemed offensive or implied offensiveness. I guess that's what the world is nowadays.

 

[SonnyCID]

I agree with you about Jones and this issue. I just can't believe it's come to suspensions over tweets that voice anything deemed offensive or implied offensiveness. I guess that's what the world is nowadays.

I'd put money on the suspension being overturned. The Dolphins are just flexing their muscles, I'd be surprised if they expect that to get past the NFLPA.

 

[RoboticDreams]

I'd put money on the suspension being overturned. The Dolphins are just flexing their muscles, I'd be surprised if they expect that to get past the NFLPA.

Possibly the Martin/Incognito debacle lead to a knee-jerk reaction.

 

[BritishDolfan]

Possibly the Martin/Incognito debacle lead to a knee-jerk reaction.

I would agree that that almost certainly played into why he was punished how he was. The Dolphins don't want any possible "intolerance" reputation after that.

 

[tzorn10]

Sure you would. Fuck the opportunity of your dreams that you've worked your whole life for, right? :rollseyes:



And go broke rather than have a chance at millions.

You make sense Sonny and I hear where your coming from. I guess what i'm trying to say is that if Jones wanted to fight this, he would win. He has constitutional rights too.

 

[SonnyCID]

You make sense Sonny and I hear where your coming from. I guess what i'm trying to say is that if Jones wanted to fight this, he would win. He has constitutional rights too.

His constitutional rights are not being violated.

 

[wazzu31]

His constitutional rights are not being violated.

They're not but it's a pretty precedent to be set that a players opinion is less important than a guy who is trying to make fame of his gayness.