Eskimos release Christion Jones following homophobic tweets

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

The Edmonton Eskimos have released Christion Jones following his homophobic tweets.

The Esks made it official on Twitter with a statement:

The Canadian Football League also released a statement:

“We in the CFL hold high the Diversity Is Strength banner. Our league makes no claim on perfection but it does strive to be inclusive, to accept and indeed celebrate our differences, and to respect and honour human rights. There is no place in our league for commentary that disparages people on the basis of their religion, race, gender or sexual orientation. As Pride Month continues, we stand with the LGBTQ+ community. We all need to say no to hate and yes to love.”

The veteran CFL return specialist expressed his thoughts on Global Pride Day, which was Saturday, June 27. After Jones went public with his feelings, the replies came fast and furious from fans across Canada. Jones defended his beliefs, but many people tagged Edmonton’s team Twitter handle calling for action to be taken.

Jones has deleted the initial tweet from his timeline and issued an apology with the help of New Democratic member of parliament for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood, Janis Irwin.

“From Janis Irwin. ‘This is an opportunity for growth.’ She is absolutely right. My words were deeply hurtful, painful and served zero purpose,” Jones wrote on Twitter. “I added to the struggle of a community, to live a life free of oppression of any kind. I sincerely apologize. I was wrong.”

“I spoke with media today about pro Edmonton football player Christion Jones’ homophobic tweets,” Irwin wrote on Twitter. “I am hopeful Mr. Jones will apologize and that he’s willing to learn and grow. I’m here to help him along that journey if he wishes.”