KENT, Ohio — A wrestler at Kent State University has been suspended indefinitely for a series of anti-gay tweets on Monday, including referring to Missouri football player Michael Sam as “that fag.”
In addition to the initial tweet, Wheeler responded to two other users, calling them “queer,” before tweeting, “O geez I got all these fag boys mad at me now.”
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Wheeler sent the tweets a day after former Missouri defensive end and NFL Draft hopeful Michael Sam revealed that he was gay in interviews with ESPN and The New York Times.
He has since deleted the tweets and his Twitter account, @sam_wheeler34, has been deactivated.
Sam, the Associated Press’ SEC Defensive Player of the Year, is projected to be chosen in the early rounds of the draft in May, and could become the first openly NFL player. He said he decided to come out publicly now because he sensed that rumors were circulating.
Kent State athletic officials denounced Wheeler’s tweets, and gave no indication if or when his suspension would be lifted.
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Joel Nielsen, Kent State Director of Athletics, added: “On behalf of Kent State University, we consider these comments to be ignorant and not indicative of the beliefs held by our university community as a whole. This is an educational opportunity for all of our student-athletes.”
