Former NFL star Craig James signs on with FRC as Asst to Tony Perkins
Former NFL star Craig James, who was fired by Fox Sports for his comments on the political trail the year earlier, has landed a new assignment with the Family Research Council (FRC). James will work alongside FRC president, Tony Perkins as an assistant and spokesman for the group.
Craig James on ESPN, photo is a screenshot of their coverage
“I’m not going to stop following sports. That’s part of my DNA,” James told Christian Headlines in a Tuesday article. “I hope to be able to use my sports relationships and ability to cover sports to further our cause at FRC.”
Fox Sports Southwest dumped James in September, only one week into his contract, citing comments he made against same-sex civil unions during a 2012 run for the U.S. Senate (the seat now held by Ted Cruz.) James protested the firing, and the Liberty Institute filed a complaint on his behalf.
The Texas Workforce Commission has now issued a charge of discrimination against Fox Sports for firing James, signaling an official investigation. FRC head Perkins addressed this issue as well.
“Craig has experienced the very workplace disqualification that cultural elites are seeking to impose throughout the country: Expressing a politically incorrect opinion on a cultural issue, totally unconnected to employment, is enough to get you fired,” Perkins said in a statement.
“Why do we consider it to be a social issue? For me, it’s a Biblical issue. But the country has put it out on the social plane, and that has become a problem to those like me who hold dearly to all of the Bible, not part of the Bible,” James stated as he discussed his desire to share his testimony.
James’ 20-year career with networks like CBS and ESPN may be done for now, but he wants to keep fighting for religious freedom for athletes, he said. “I do know that there are a lot of people in the broadcasting business and athletes who enjoy having the religious liberties they have,” he said. “And that’s what this is about. I believe I can engage a great deal of the sports community to be involved and active in defending their religious liberty.”
James said he took a stand against Fox Sports in defense of his and others’ religious freedom.
“This really isn’t about me as an individual,” he said. “It’s about an individual—who happens to be me—in this country being persecuted and fired for their religious belief. … And in America, I have the right to hold a biblical belief without the fear of being fired, bullied, or badgered.”
