OK, when you make the Drudge Report for a Tweet, it’s probably going to be a long day for you, and that’s the case for former Arkansas State University Red Wolf and current Miami Dolphins safety Don Jones.
During a live broadcast Saturday that included Michael Sam giving his boyfriend a celebratory kiss after becoming the first opening gay football player to be drafted into the NFL, Jones tweeted “OMG” and later tweeted “horrible” concerning the kiss between the two men. Sam was drafted in the seventh round by the St. Louis Rams. Coincidentally, Jones was drafted in the seventh round in the 2013 NFL Draft.
“I want to apologize to Michael Sam for the inappropriate comments that I made last night on social media,” Don Jones said Sunday evening. “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.”
Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin said in a statement:
“We were disappointed to read Don’s tweets during the NFL Draft. 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 has been fined an undisclosed amount and suspended from all team activities “until such time that he undergoes and completes educational training for his recent comments made on social media during the draft,” a statement from the team read.
Here is Jones’ bio from his college days at Arkansas State:
DON JONES
2012: Preseason second team All-Sun Belt Conference selection by Athlon’s…College Footbal Performance Awards national Special Teams Player of the Year Watch List.
2011: Named the Sun Belt Conference Special Teams Player of the Week twice…Recorded a career-high 54 tackles, the fourth most on the team, from his nickel postion…Also posted 6.5 tackles for loss, which were the fifth most on a defense that ranked No. 8 in the nation in the stat…Recorded 1 interception, 1 sack, 3 pass break-ups and 1 blocked kick…Played in every game, including 10 as a starter..Blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown gainst ULM and returned a block fro a score against Troy…Recorded a career-high 10 tackles agaisnt Troy and posted at least 5 tackles in 5 games…Recorded at least a partial tackle for loss in 8 games…Finisehd the GoDaddy.com Bowl with 8 tackles, which tied Brandon Joiner for the most on the team.
MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST: A 2-star recruit by Rivals.com, Jones took a redshirt season in 2008 and played running back for the Red Wolves in 2009 before transferring to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College for the 2010 season . . . Jones played safety last season for the Bulldogs, recording 39 tackles and three tackles for loss in seven games played . . . The Bulldogs finished No. 3 in the final NJCAA poll with a 10-2 record.
ARKANSAS STATE (2009): While with the Red Wolves, Jones rushed for 149 yards and two touchdowns on 24 attempts . . . He also recorded 12 receptions for 146 yards and another touchdown.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played both running back and defensive back at Hazelwood High School before originally signing with A-State in 2008 . . . The state track and field champion in the 100, 200 and 400-meter events, Jones rushed for 1,853 yards and 22 touchdowns his senior campaign.
PERSONAL: Born May 14, 1990 . . . Son of Don and Amberlene Jones.
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