Football Analyst Fired for Expressing Religious Beliefs

After just one week on the job, popular college football analyst Craig James was fired from FOX Sports Southwest over comments he made while running for political office in 2011.

James is a former college and NFL player who previously worked for ESPN before entering the political arena, running for a vacant U.S. Senate seat in Texas in 2011.

During the campaign, James was asked – as all political candidates usually are – about his views on same-sex marriage and homosexuality. As a Christian, James expressed his deeply held religious beliefs and stated that he would not support same-sex unions. James recently began his new job with Fox Sports. After video footage of the debate surfaced, James’ employment with Fox was terminated.

It was a drastic turn of events, considering that just a few weeks ago, FOX Sports Southwest Executive Producer Mike Anastassiou announced James’ hiring with much excitement.

Now, it seems, James’ personal religious views have made him an unfit candidate for sports broadcasting.

“We just asked ourselves how Craig’s statements would play in our human resources department,” an unnamed Fox spokesman told the Dallas Morning News. “He couldn’t say those things here.”

“People are now being attacked and fired for the religious beliefs they hold and what they say outside of work?” asked Liberty Institute CEO and Chief Counsel Kelly Shackelford. “That’s unacceptable, it’s illegal, and it’s not America. Craig James should not be punished for expressing his faith. No American should.”

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