Famous sportscaster fired for anti-'gay' comments

by Dennis324 Wed Sep 11, 2013 2:47 pm

(AJC) — College football analyst Craig James is learning the hard way that politics and sports do not mix well. The former ESPN star has reportedly been fired from his most recent job at FOX Sports Southwest after alleged anti-gay comments he made during a run for Texas’ U.S. Senate seat last year resurfaced. According to the Dallas Morning News, James joined the network in late August but was fired after just one appearance.

During a debate in February 2012, James allegedly said that homosexuals will have to “answer to the Lord for their actions” and argued that being gay was “a choice.” He also chastised his opponent for attending a gay pride parade.

The former ESPN analyst also caused controversy while with that network. He had highly criticized former Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach for an incident involving James’ son Adam James, who had played for Texas Tech under Leach. Earlier this year, Leach lost a lawsuit against ESPN and James alleging libel and slander for the James’ comments on the way the coach handled Adam James’ recovery from a concussion.

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2013/09/famous-sportscaster-fired-for-anti-gay-comments/#PZKI5fJGJML3uLgz.99

I don't normally have a problem with James, though I disagreed with his spat with Mike Leach. However, there is the little fact that James said what he did prior to ever being hired by Fox Sports. That's just not right. It would be different if James said this stuff on the air while at Fox. Or if he said it as a representative of Fox, say, at a function or something. While I agree with James in this case, Fox ought to have vetted Craig James. This is like the Food Network firing Paula Dean for something she may have said long before ever going to work for the network.

James oughta sue.

by **Bryant** Wed Sep 11, 2013 9:39 pm

FOX is a private company and, depending on the terms of his contract, can fire him for just about anything (or nothing). That said, there seems to be a huge inconsistency with FOX firing this guy for saying the same thing prior to being hired that many of their talking heads have said on air.

by Sir Pun Fri Sep 13, 2013 6:10 am

Moral of the story: dont dare speak tour mind unless its politically correct. Seems like they shouldve done their due diligence. And bryant, fix news is a separate entity from fox sports

by Dennis324 Fri Sep 13, 2013 9:38 am

Yep, Fox Sports is diff from Fox news.

But this whole bigot thing...you know, firing a guy for something he said before he ever came to work for you...that's almost like asking 'have you ever smoked a joint even back when you were in college?' And then firing them for that.

by Marconius Fri Sep 13, 2013 4:32 pm

What goes around, comes around. I hate the guy for the whole Texas Tech thing and wasn't that happy he found a job after ESPN let him go.

by Dennis324 Sun Sep 15, 2013 5:48 pm

Yeah, he kinda screwed Mike Leach over imo.

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