Selective Tolerance Is Still Discrimination the NFL Can Learn From The NBA-Why isn’t Jones Banned for Life from the NFL?
May 12, 2014
The world and NBA reacted swiftly and correctly when owner of the Clippers, Donald Sterling who made racist comments was banned him for life from the NBA. Fast forward to the NFL draft this past weekend when a sobbing Michael Sam celebrated his selection by the St. Louis Rams by hugging and kissing his partner, another man, it made real and physical that an openly gay athlete had taken an unprecedented step toward an NFL career.
Some from the NFL organization were less than tolerant to Mr. Sam’s celebration:
Miami Dolphins safety Don Jones was fined an undisclosed amount Sunday and will undergo educational training after sending a negative tweet about Sam.
Great that’s the equivalent of a manager going through sensitivity training in the real world and we all know people have to want to change in or for any kind of training to actually work. Jones will likely apologize to save his career but he should be given the Donald Sterling treatment and banned for life from the NFL.
This is not the first time the Miami Dolphins has been in the media for intolerant behavior. Last year Jonathan Martin, of the Miami Dolphins accused Richie Incognito, a fellow teammate of being a bully. It’s time we start giving all people the Donald Sterling treatment when they prove to be intolerant of others. Martin was victimized and Incognito is still playing in the NFL.
Selective tolerance is still discrimination and was tolerated by the NBA for years until recently and it’s been tolerated in the NFL for years and they need to start sending “Banned for Life,” message to their players to create positive change.