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TORONTO, May 16, 2014 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Canadian Football League has fined Calgary Stampeders receiver Maurice Price after Price last week tweeted his displeasure at the events surrounding the NFL draft of Michael Sam, the openly homosexual defensive end who will join the St. Louis Rams.

“The CFL will not tolerate discrimination of any kind,” said CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon in a statement. “Whether its race, religion or sexual preference, our values are of acceptance and equality. We fully support openly gay athletes in our league, and in the sports community in general.”

“My faith won't let me accept what took place over the weekend. Sorry, not sorry! #AdamAndEve #NotAdamAndAdam,” Price had tweeted.

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He was referring to reports that when Sam heard the news of being picked up by the St. Louis Rams at the last moment of the seventh and final round of the draft pick, he gave his boyfriend a big kiss while sports networks recorded his reaction.

“Sam was in San Diego watching with friends and family at the home of his agent, Joe Barkett of Empire Athletes. ESPN and the NFL Network had cameras there and showed Sam's reaction,” the CBC reported.

Price joins a list of other players who were sanctioned for publicly making comments about Sam, who is the first openly homosexual player to be drafted by the National Football League (NFL). Sam had publicly proclaimed his homosexuality in media interviews earlier this year.

“Sam was on the phone bending over, with his boyfriend hugging him and rubbing his left bicep. When Sam got off the phone, the tears started. He gave his boyfriend a big kiss and a long hug as he cried and his eyes reddened. After, they shared cake — and another kiss,” the CBC said.

Other athletes that have faced backlash from homosexualists and disciplinary action from their sports organizations relating to Sam include Montreal Alouettes wide receiver Arland Bruce, who was fined by the CFL for urging Sam on social media to “submit fully to God”; Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive tackle Bryant Turner Jr, who was fined by the CFL for tweeting, “Michael Sam locker-room gonna come with complimentary robes”;  Miami Dolphins safety Don Jones, who was fined an undisclosed amount by the NFL and forced to undergo “educational training” after he tweeted “OMG” and “Horrible” in reaction to Sam's performance.

In reaction to these sanctions, Price tweeted, “And it's highly disturbing that under the current constitution individuals have been fined for verbalizing their thoughts.”

But after facing social media retaliation, Price tweeted, “Of course my words get misconstrued. I wish Sam nothing but the best and hope he has a fantastic career. It's nothing personal against him.”

He subsequently deleted all his tweets.

All the other athletes mentioned also deleted their posts, with some making public apologies, describing their comments as “inappropriate.”

The Stampeders released a statement of their own condemning Price's tweets, saying the team was “outraged” by his “repugnant” comments.

“The Calgary Stampeders are outraged by the offensive comments made today in tweets from Maurice Price's account. The comments are repugnant and in no way reflect the organization's views or values. The matter will now be dealt with internally,” the statement said.

Price, who hails from Orlando, Florida, has played the last two seasons for Calgary.

Contact:

Commissioner Mark Cohon, Canadian Football League
50 Wellington Street East – 3rd Floor
Toronto, ON M5E 1C8, CANADA
Phone: (416) 322-9650
Fax: (416) 322-9651