Christion Jones released by CFL team for homophobic tweet

A former Alabama wide receiver has been released by his CFL team for a homophobic tweet demeaning same-sex marriage.

Edmonton Eskimos kick returner and wideout Christion Jones, who caught 85 passes for 1,030 yards in four seasons with the Crimson Tide, crassly tweeted Saturday his opposition to gay marriage.

“Ima keep it this real… Man ain’t supposed to be with a man,” he wrote, via the National Post. “A women is not suppose to be with another women. THATS ME THO! Live life with safety.”

Initially, Jones defended his incendiary tweet, saying the Twitter mob was trying to cancel him for simply stating his opinion on a social issue.

“They trying to get me fired now!!. A black man giving his opinion on Twitter is sickening for many,” he wrote.

Of course, the problem with Jones’ opinion is that it’s hateful. He thinks members of the LGBTQ community shouldn’t enjoy equal rights.

The Eskimos promptly released Jones, saying they “condemn the language” he used. Roughly 14 hours after defending his ridiculous remarks, Jones backtracked, and apologized.

“My words were deeply hurtful, painful and served zero purpose,” he wrote. “I added to the struggle of a community, to live a life free of oppression of any kind. I sincerely apologize. I was wrong.”

Of course, people can evolve on LGBTQ issues, and merely “canceling” anybody with an anti-LGBTQ viewpoint doesn’t leave room for genuine growth. But Jones’ tweet was especially juvenile, and downright bigoted. The fact that he doubled down, and attempted to needlessly make the issue about race, makes it even worse.

Throughout this Pride Month, we have rightfully celebrated the intersectionality between the Black Lives Matter movement and LGBTQ rights. There would be no Pride without Black and Brown people.

Jones should do some reading before he tweets.