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The Florida Bar has placed one of its employees on administrative leave as it investigates disgusting racial and violent comments that were sent online to a University of Miami Hurricanes football player following the Hurricanes’ win over the Florida State Seminoles.
Florida Bar employee Kade McLendon was the person in question, according to the statement released by the organization on Tuesday, after an account using his name sent several messages to Miami linebacker Damon Wilson II, which included the use of the N-word, made allusions to slavery and threatened sexual violence against the player and his family.
“The messages in question are not only ethically and morally reprehensible but also violate our internal social media policy for employees,” The Florida Bar said in a statement. “As the internal investigation continues, we are committed to enforcing our policies and procedures while making sure that any due process rights are protected.”
The Miami Herald reported that McLendon’s Instagram and LinkedIn accounts had been shut down by Monday night, but screenshots of his LinkedIn showed he worked as a computer technician for the Florida Bar since June 2024 and had graduated from FSU.
Wilson shared the disgusting messages on his Instagram Story to show fans a “glimpse into the life of a black student athlete.”
In one message, the person used a homophobic slur, wishing that Miller would be raped, before telling Wilson that “i am going to rape, beat and kill ur family.”
The N-word is used on a number of occasions and in one message, Miller was called “farming equipment.”
The Hurricanes defeated the Seminoles on Saturday in double overtime, 43-35.
Wilson is in his first season with the Hurricanes after transferring to Miami after time with Georgia and Missouri.
Offensive lineman Ryan Rodriguez told the Associated Press that Wilson is “my brother and I embrace him” after being asked about the online comments.