A Florida Bar employee got slammed on administrative leave Tuesday after an investigation into some absolutely disgusting online comments hurled at Miami football player Damon Wilson II. This all went down after the Hurricanes pulled off a solid 43-35 win against Florida State last weekend, but the aftermath has nothing to do with Xs and Os. This is way bigger than a game.
The “Glimpse Into the Life” No Athlete Should Face
Kade McLendon, who’s been a computer tech at the Bar for about two years, was identified as the employee in question. And get this: an account under McLendon’s name reportedly sent a string of racist and homophobic slurs straight to Wilson after that big win. Wilson, who is Black, didn’t just let it slide; he publicly shared a screenshot of those messages on Sunday. He called it “a glimpse into the life of a black student athlete,” and honestly, it’s a gut punch. You see a guy out there giving his all, performing at the highest level, and he’s gotta deal with this garbage? No player deserves that, especially after a hard-fought victory. Wilson is only in his first season at Miami, having previously played at Georgia and Missouri, so he’s new to the Hurricanes but clearly not new to the challenges players face off the field. The Associated Press tried to reach McLendon Tuesday, but they couldn’t get through.
“More Than a Game”: The Bar’s Stance and Miami’s Support
The Florida Bar was quick to drop a statement, and they didn’t mince words. They called the messages “ethically and morally reprehensible” and made it clear they violate their own internal social media policy for employees. They’re on it with an internal investigation, promising to enforce their policies while making sure due process is protected. This isn’t just some random troll; it’s an employee of a professional organization. Miami offensive lineman Ryan Rodriguez spoke out Tuesday, standing up for his teammate. He called Wilson “my brother,” emphasizing, “It’s more than a game.” That’s the kind of locker room support you love to see, especially when someone’s dealing with something this vile. It really puts into perspective what these young athletes are up against, beyond the scoreboard.
Miami, currently ranked No. 1 in the AP Top 25, has to put this behind them quickly as they get ready for their next challenge. They’re back at home this Saturday, lining up against Pittsburgh. Here’s hoping the focus shifts back to the field and the team can keep their incredible run going, knowing they’ve got each other’s backs through thick and thin.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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