‘Fire Him Immediately,’ ‘Make an Example of Him’ — CFB Fans Demand Action After Florida Bar Suspends Employee Over ‘Disgusting’ Messages to Miami DL
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Damon Wilson II should have been enjoying a rivalry win. Instead, the Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman was sharing the racist abuse that had landed in his inbox.
The Florida Bar’s decision to place an employee on administrative leave brought another wave of anger. For several fans responding to the announcement, keeping him employed during an investigation was already too much.
Fans Demand Firing After Messages Sent to Damon Wilson II
The Florida Bar placed computer technician Kade McLendon on administrative leave Tuesday while investigating messages sent from an account bearing his name. Wilson shared screenshots after Miami’s 43–35 double-overtime victory over Florida State. The messages included racist and homophobic slurs and threats against his family.
The game had already prompted heated arguments over aholding penalty that erased Florida State’s potential touchdown. The abuse directed at Wilson brought an entirely different concern into the aftermath.
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“Did you guys read the DM’s? What more investigation do you need? Fire him immediately,”one fan wrote.
Another demanded that the organization send a clear message through its response.
“There’s nothing to investigate. You have an employee that is a racist in its purest, most disgusting form, and he made repeated de*th threats out of straight up hatred. Do the right thing. Make an example of him,”the fan wrote.
Others focused on the wording of the announcement.
“Administrative leave? That’s pathetic. He should no longer be employed,”another fan added.
Those replies demanded an immediate employment decision. The Bar’s announcement described an ongoing investigation, leaving fans waiting for what comes next.
Florida Bar Condemns Messages as Investigation Continues
The Florida Bar called the messages “ethically and morally reprehensible” and said they violated its employee social media policy. It also said it would enforce its policies while protecting due process rights during the investigation.
That explanation did little to satisfy some respondents.
“‘Administrative leave’ Translation = paid vacation. Just disbar the guy,”one user wrote.
McLendon was identified in the report as a computer technician. That reporting did not establish that he was a licensed attorney subject to disbarment, and the announced leave did not specify whether he would continue receiving pay.
“So, a paid vacation until you hope this blows over. Unacceptable; fire him,”another user wrote.
Wilson’s teammates, meanwhile, offered their support. Miami offensive lineman Ryan Rodriguez described Wilson as his brother and stressed that their bond extended beyond football.
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Wilson made the messages public with the caption, “Glimpse into the life of a black student athlete.” His decision exposed what he had been dealing with privately after a win. The demands for consequences now put the Florida Bar’s next decision under close scrutiny.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
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