A Former Fox Sportscaster Is Suing the Company for 'Religious Discrimination'

Craig James talks about his faith. Video via Craig James for US Senate YouTube Channel

When Craig James was hired as a sportscaster for Fox Sports in August 2013, he seemed like a perfect fit: James, who would serve as a college football analyst, had played football for Southern Methodist University in Dallas and went on to be a running back for the New England Patriots. In his hiring announcement, the company called him a "talented broadcaster" with an extensive "knowledge of college football." But just two days after starting the job, he was fired.

Now, James is suing Fox Sports for religious discrimination, as he believes the company axed him for remarks he made about gay marriage. (You can read the full lawsuit here, courtesy of the Dallas Morning News.)

Back in 2012, when James was running against Ted Cruz in Texas' US Senate race, he expressed his views on gay marriage in a public debate. He said that homosexuals would "answer to the Lord for their actions" and that the country's "moral fiber is sliding down a slope that is going to be hard to stop" because political leaders were attending gay pride parades. James added for good measure that he would "never ride in a gay parade."

The lawsuit alleges that Fox Sports told James he was fired "due to his beliefs about marriage, which were explicitly religious." But Fox denies that was the case.

"Craig James is a polarizing figure in the college sports community and the decision not to use him in our college football coverage was based on the perception that he abused a previous on-air position to further a personal agenda," Scott Grogin, senior vice president of communications for Fox Networks Group, said in a statement tothe Dallas Morning News. "The decision had nothing to do with Mr. James' religious beliefs and we did not discriminate against Mr. James in any way. The allegations are baseless and we will vigorously defend ourselves against them."

James, who is represented by the conservative Liberty Institute, is seeking $100,000 in damages. In a statement released today alongside the lawsuit, he said: "Today, many people have lost their jobs because of their faith. Sadly, countless are afraid to let their bosses know they even have a faith," before adding, "This is America"—an ironic thing to remind the Fox Network.

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