After hiring former NFL player Craig James in 2013, Fox Sports reached out and released the broadcaster after remarks pertaining to the LGBT community during a debate for a position in the U.S. Senate:
“Right now in this country, our moral fiber is sliding down a slope that is going to be hard to stop if we don’t stand up with leaders who don’t go ride in gay parades. I can assure you I will never ride in a gay parade.”
As a result of his wrongful termination, Craig James will seek legal action in what he believes is “religious discrimination” for expressing his viewpoints on marriage and that his beliefs have little relevance in the field of football analyzing.
“This is very troubling as an employee when your boss holds against you something you said about your belief system nearly 18 months before you were recruited and hired. I said nothing about my belief system on the air at Fox Sports. So, the fact that they reached back in my past nearly eighteen months and responded to a comment about my biblical belief in natural marriage as a candidate — that’s troubling.”
A former running back for Southern Methodist and the New England Patriots, James sought assistance from the Liberty Institute, a committee in Plano, Texas, founded on the principles of “freedom of religious expression” to appropriately address the underlying issue, which was presented in a Dallas County court.
Back in March of this year, after an interview with Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins, James remarked that the idea of a gay athlete populating a locker room is “Satan’s work;” a proclamation made shortly following Michael Sam publicizing his sexual identity in February.
In other news, Nike released special edition shoes for gay pride entitled “Be True,” in which Russian lawmakers are fighting for a plea to be banned after circulating concerns that the sneakers promoted “gay propaganda,” regardless of the Be True collection not being sold within Russian markets.
Nike proceeded to comment on the company’s acceptance of the LGBT community:
“Nike does not discriminate based on sexual orientation, sex, nationality or age. Nike supports social and cultural diversity and seeks to deliver inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world. In Russia, Nike does not request inclusion of any particular products or collections from its partners. The stores decide themselves which products they want to stock.”
On a special note, Nike granted the LGBT Sports Coalition with a check written in the amount of $200,000 to support the coalition’s mission statement.
In the last two years, Nike has hosted the LGBT Sports Summit and other LGBT-related sporting events.
Can’t get enough of Campus Sports? Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to stay updated with the latest news and exclusive giveaways!
*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
