Photo credit: CBS Miami/Youtube
University of Miami football player Damon Wilson II became the target of racist and homophobic abuse after the Miami Hurricanes defeated Florida State 43-35 in double overtime on Saturday, October 17.
The Black defensive lineman shared screenshots of the messages on his Instagram Stories the following day. The messages reportedly included racial slurs, homophobic insults and threats of sexual violence against Wilson and his family.
The incident prompted the Florida Bar to place an employee on administrative leave while it investigates the matter.
Damon Wilson II shares disturbing messages
Wilson posted the screenshots on Sunday, October 18. He captioned the post with a message highlighting the experiences of Black student-athletes.
According to CBS12, the messages included references to segregation-era racism. In one message, the sender reportedly said Wilson should be forced to sit at the back of a bus.
The messages also reportedly contained threats directed at Wilson’s family. His Instagram Stories post is no longer available, but reports about the exchange have drawn attention to the abuse.
The messages came after Miami’s dramatic victory over its longtime rival. The Hurricanes secured the 43-35 win in double overtime, making the postgame incident a troubling development following the rivalry matchup.
Florida Bar places employee on leave
The Associated Press identified the employee as Kade McLendon, a computer technician who had worked for the Florida Bar for about two years.
An account using McLendon’s name reportedly sent the messages to Wilson after the game. However, the Florida Bar has not announced the final findings of its investigation.
On Tuesday, October 20, the organization confirmed that it had placed McLendon on administrative leave. The Florida Bar also said the messages violated its internal social media policy.
The organization regulates lawyers in Florida. Its response has brought additional attention to questions about workplace conduct and online harassment.
The investigation remains ongoing. The reported messages and the organization’s administrative action do not, by themselves, establish a final finding of responsibility.
Incident renews focus on abuse against Black athletes
Wilson’s experience highlights the racist and homophobic harassment that athletes can face away from the playing field.
Social media allows athletes to connect with fans, but it can also expose them to personal attacks. Such abuse can extend beyond competition and target players’ identities and families.
Wilson’s decision to share the messages also brought public attention to the issue. His post highlighted the reality that Black student-athletes can face racism even after major sporting achievements.
As the Florida Bar continues its investigation, further details may clarify the circumstances surrounding the messages and any disciplinary action.
Source: Associated Press, CBS12, Black Information Network
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