Curt Schilling is trending Wednesday night as news spreads that ESPN has fired him following a controversial retweet and follow-up comments about the transgender community.
ESPN fires Curt Schilling for 'unacceptable' anti-transgender post https://t.co/oPwdEHETEX via @NBCSports pic.twitter.com/GaPoWGuOz3
— NBC News (@NBCNews) April 21, 2016
.@espn statement on the termination of MLB analyst Curt Schilling. pic.twitter.com/ynMSWjc6mW
— Frank Pallotta (@frankpallotta) April 21, 2016
Good for ESPN for exercising their right to do business with people of their choosing. Can everyone else now?https://t.co/ASeWwctM6L
— Drew McCoy (@_Drew_McCoy_) April 21, 2016
BuzzFeed posted the following screenshot as part of its coverage and reports that Schilling later deleted the tweet.
Dear God, Curt Schilling. pic.twitter.com/GEEs5Q2Ppj
— Brandon Benson (@bensonbrandon10) April 19, 2016
.@ESPN, having knowingly hired Curt Schilling, fires Curt Schilling for being Curt Schilling. I think I can save you a step or two here guys
— IWantNothingHat (@Popehat) April 20, 2016
While many applauded ESPN’s action, others wished the network were a bit more consistent with its definition of unacceptable conduct.
Hey @espn, I can't help but notice you still employ this guy. https://t.co/KcIJH7jUSK
— BT (@back_ttys) April 21, 2016
ESPN personality Tony Kornheiser compares Tea Party to ISIS: https://t.co/BlFSDaDy29 pic.twitter.com/WZwSForxuV
— The Hill (@thehill) October 27, 2015
https://twitter.com/RobProvince/status/722951157765636100
The Tea Party is like ISIS? That’s the sort of invaluable sports analysis that keeps people tuning in to ESPN. And how could the network have gone on without the comedic stylings of sports journalist Kenny Mayne?
Recommended
https://twitter.com/19amish/status/722947128826331138
@RobProvince @seanmdav @NBCNews
And remember this? pic.twitter.com/rI5UiD4OH1— Pounce de León (@RightAllTheTime) April 21, 2016
Ah yes, that was over Williams saying that President Obama golfing with then-Speaker John Boehner was like “Hitler playing golf with Netanyahu.” That comment was a terrible stab at the president. And speaking of stabbing …
https://twitter.com/JesseKellyDC/status/722969333559791617
I wish ESPN would fire every last on-air personality they have, and just showed games in silence
— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) April 21, 2016
Rep. Mike Honda, who had the transgender flag raised in front of his office in March alongside Old Glory, applauded ESPN for purging itself of Schilling’s hatred.
Pleased that @espn fired @gehrig38. Sports don't build character they reveal it. Hatred is not character, it's cowardice.
— Mike Honda (@RepMikeHonda) April 21, 2016
Good thing ESPN headquarters doesn't have men's rooms and women's rooms or this would seem quite hypocritical
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) April 21, 2016
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with additional tweets.
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