Miami Dolphins Don Jones fined and suspended for anti-Michael Sam tweet

Suspended Miami Dolphins' Don Jones

The Miami Dolphins have fined second-year defensive back Don Jones an undisclosed amount and suspended him following critical remarks towards Michael Sam, who recently became the first openly gay athlete drafted by the NFL.

After St. Louis selected the openly gay Sam with the 249th overall pick in the seventh and final round of the NFL Draft, TV cameras showed Sam kissing his boyfriend in celebration. Just after the kiss happened, Jones tweeted 'OMG' and 'Horrible.'

On Sunday night, Jones apologized for sending out the two tweets.

"I want to apologize to Michael Sam for the inappropriate comments that I made last night on social media," Jones said in a statement. "I take full responsibility for them and I regret that these tweets took away from his draft moment. I remember last year when I was drafted in the seventh round and all of the emotions and happiness I felt when I received the call that gave me an opportunity to play for an NFL team and I wish him all the best in his NFL career."

Jones didn't just apologize to Sam either. He also apologized to the Dolphins: "I sincerely apologize to Mr. Ross, my teammates, coaches, staff and fans for these tweets," Jones said. "I am committed to represent the values of the Miami Dolphins organization and appreciate the opportunity I have been given to do so going forward."

Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey made it clear on Saturday night that the team wouldn't tolerate Jones' actions and coach Joe Philbin echoed that sentiment on Sunday.

“We were disappointed to read Don's tweets during the NFL Draft," Philbin said. "They were inappropriate and unacceptable, and we regret the negative impact these comments had on such an important weekend for the NFL. We met with Don today about respect, discrimination and judgment. These comments are not consistent with the values and standards of our program."

Miami has weathered some high profile issues with sensitivity recently as this comes on the heels of a four-month investigation into bullying and hazing allegations made against the Dolphins by Jonathan Martin.

The video below is the moment that upset Don Jones so terribly.

(via CBS Sports)