In the NFL: Philadelphia Eagles' Employee Booted for Derogatory Facebook Comments

No doubt about it, Eagles fans are among the most vocal, if not the most vocal and loyal, within the NFL. When T.O. lived two houses away from us (actually, I guess you could say he still does: his home is still available for purchase), a group of us neighbors hung a big, white sheet on a fence following every home game. At first, we started out with "Way to Go, T.O.!" (We didn't claim to be particularly creative at that early stage!) As time went on, we would add to the sheet: the number of catches he had in the game, the number of touchdowns he took into the end zone. As Pablo or whomever was his driver would be bringing him back home after each game, he couldn't help but see our sheet(s). (Bad weather was unkind to the first one. We had to substitute several over the course of the season.) He saw my youngest daughter once outside by our mailbox, and told her that he "really liked" the messages we were sending him. She said that he seemed genuinely and honestly touched by our corny, homegrown attempt at support. Eagles fans are most likely the most die-hard and loyal in the nation.

My point in sharing our little adventure in T.O. Land is that there are many ways you can express support for your favorite team or a player. Unfortunately, Facebook is perhaps not necessarily the best venue in which to do that.

Just ask former Eagles employee Dan Leone, recently fired by the team from what he's termed his "dream job" after referring to the team as being 'retarted' following the departure of Eagles icon Brian Dawkins. Oh, Dan, Dan, Dan.

For the past six and a half years, Leone has been a part-time gatekeeper at the west side of the team's stadium. As a child, he suffered from a condition known as 'transverse myelitis', a disease which still hampers the employee/fan in being able to fulfill his gatekeeper duties. (The effects of the disease make it hard for him to walk or run quickly.) Nevertheless, the opportunity to feel part of the team he's worshiped since childhood far overcame the physical pain brought on by his disability.

As all Eagles fans know by now, the iconic Brian Dawkins is no longer a part of the team. He has signed a long-term contract with the Denver Broncos. Dawkins was upset over this situation. Ed Banner, President of the organization, went onto local radio shows telling listeners that the Eagles had made an offer to Dawkins, Dawkins and his agent met with the Broncos, and Dawkins signed with the Broncos before the Eagles had the chance to up their original offer. No one but Banner and Dawkins know if this is indeed what happened. Donovan McNabb recently posted on his blog about Dawkins' departure, lamenting the fact that he had hoped to win championships with Dawkins in the future, that he would sorely miss Dawkins (as well as the now-gone former Eagle Tra Thomas). It was not an optimistic posting by McNabb, who is now spending the remainder of the off season with his family at his Arizona home - probably wondering when and if the team plans on bringing in anybody who might even remotely be consider a wide receiver - anyone who can catch the damned ball - now that the free agency period has blossomed and wilted, and the best of the best have signed with other teams.

Leone posted the following message on his Facebook page following Dawkins' signing with the Broncos" "Dan is f______g devastated about Dawkins signing with Denver. Dam Eagles R Retarted!"

Shortly after the posting, Leone received a phone call from the personnel department informing him that he was fired. Several local sports writers spoke up on Leone's behalf, as did radio commentators and other fans. Leone publicly apologized and swiftly removed the comments from his Facebook page.

Do I feel badly for Dan Leone? Yes, I do. Do I share his sentiments about Dawkin's departure and the Eagles' overall mentality in keeping AND acquiring solid players? Yes, I do. Do I feel that he should be reinstated as an Eagles employee? Unfortunately, no.

When a company signs your paycheck - whether it be for a full time or part time job - you cannot make derogatory public comments about that company. The Eagles are (allegedly) a business. The NFL is a business. The Eagles were within their rights as an employer to terminate Leone for what was most likely an unfortunate, spur of the moment lapse in judgment.

Do I think that it would be a great public relations move for the Eagles to 'forgive' the errant Leone, and offer him his part-time gig back? Yes, I really do. Do I think that this will happen before hell freezes over? Nope, not a snowball's chance...