Posted on 09/25/2013 5:03:44 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Former ESPN Broadcaster and one-time NFL player for the New England Patriots, Craig James, says he was "shocked" after Fox Sports Southwest fired him over two weeks ago for publicly declaring his Christian views opposing gay marriage.
"I was shocked that my personal religious beliefs were not only the reason for Fox Sports firing me, but I was completely floored when I read stories quoting Fox Sports representatives essentially saying that people of faith are banned from working at Fox Sports," James told Breitbart News in a report on Monday. "That is not right and surely someone made a terrible mistake."
In an announcement on Aug. 30, 2013, that has since been removed, Fox Sports Southwest stated that James would be joining its Fox College Saturday studio team rounded out by Erin Hartigan and Ex-NFL quarterback Tony Banks.
"We're excited to add Craig to the FOX Sports Southwest team," executive producer Mike Anastassiou noted in the announcement. "He's a talented broadcaster who I've admired throughout his career. His knowledge of college football and the experience he brings as an analyst will be a tremendous asset to our coverage."
A day after his first appearance on air, however, Fox Sports Southwest's general manager Jon Heidtke who had hired him, told James he had been fired. Top officials at Fox Sports, he said, were informed about comments James made about same-sex marriage during his failed bid for a seat in the U.S. Senate in 2012 and were uncomfortable.
In his comments last year, James maintained that homosexuality is a choice and those who engage in the practice will have to answer to God.
"I think it's [homosexuality] a choice, I do," said James in response to a question during the Texas debate. "I think that you have to make that choice. But in that case right there, they are going to have to answer to the Lord for their actions. We should not give benefits to those civil unions," he added.
Despite his views, however, James said he has always acted in a professional manner with those who don't share his views.
"I have worked in broadcasting for 24 years and have always treated my colleagues with respect and dignity regardless of their background or personal beliefs. I believe it is essential in our business to maintain professional relationships with people from a diverse background and have tolerance for those of different beliefs. I have never discussed my faith while broadcasting and it has never been an issue until now," he said.
In a demand letter sent to Fox Sports Southwest on Tuesday and posted below, James' legal counsel from the Liberty Institute demand that he be reinstated within 48 hours, by Thursday, or face further legal action.
During his Senate run last year, James shared thoughts on his faith in a two-minute video posted on YouTube. "I've been a believer of Jesus Christ my entire life," he notes in the video. "I really took a committed step in college through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and it's through that movement that I've had a daily walk with my Lord and Savior," he added.
He didn’t even say it on the job or after he was hired!
***”A day after his first appearance on air, however, Fox Sports Southwest’s general manager Jon Heidtke who had hired him, told James he had been fired. Top officials at Fox Sports, he said, were informed about comments James made about same-sex marriage during his failed bid for a seat in the U.S. Senate in 2012 and were uncomfortable.”***
Screw FOX.
He made his statement long before he had any affiliation with Fox. This is really petty on their part. I don’t know the law down there, but I wonder if he has a religious discrimination claim.
I sympathize to a degree with Craig, but I also believe at the same time that employers should have the right to fire employees “at will”.
He needs to sue on the basis that they illegally discriminated against him because of his religion.
Great stuff - thanks for this information.
Let’s whack Cornyn.
And Fox is a so-called “conservative” outfit.
Bttt
I’d be interested in seeing what was in his contract . If it was anything like mine in my broadcasting days the contract probably had stipulations that mentioned bringing an unfavorable light on his employer. That clause can be used to get rid of you easily.
Bttt
“And Fox is a so-called “conservative” outfit.”
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Good grief...If FOX goes to the dark side we will have no media at all.
I agree, but they really should have vetted him before offering the job if this is a big deal to them.
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Disgusting.
If FOX goes to the dark side...”
FOX has already gone to the dark side.
Good grief...If FOX goes to the dark side we will have no media at all.
“IF”????
That Fox News is fair and balanced and has no Spin.... IS A MYTH....
“FOX has already gone to the dark side.”
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I guess that is why I have lost interest, and rarely watch now. Every time I turned on FOX, it would happen to be when that fatso Beckel and nerdy Colmes were on that group thing.
I guess all one can say is that it is not quite as bad as PMSNBC or the Commie News Network. Fortunately. my G-Sat does not carry either of them.
Most all of my news comes from FREE REPUBLIC :)
It is discrimination to fire gays but it is acceptable to fire Christians. This is how it works out—the gay movement is all about forced compliance and no freedom of speach.
No, you must agree with them, and hold their beliefs dear.
Gee imagine that, a normal man is disgusted by a couple of perverted butt lickers getting married.
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