DAVIE, Fla. (AP) - Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey heard from management regarding a tweet he sent that joked about hazing the team’s first-round draft pick.
The jest fell flat in the wake of the Dolphins’ 2013 bullying scandal, in which Pouncey was implicated. Less than 24 hours after Pouncey posted the tweet, his Twitter account was deactivated.
The Dolphins took Tennessee tackle Ja’Wuan James with the 19th overall choice Thursday.
“Great pick! I can’t wait for our gifts he’s getting us lol,” Pouncey tweeted.
An investigation into the bullying scandal found Pouncey followed guard Richie Incognito’s lead in harassing Jonathan Martin, who left the team during the season. Pressure on Martin to give other linemen gifts was part of an alleged pattern of harassment.
On Friday, general manager Dennis Hickey said he cleared the air with Pouncey regarding the tweet.
“Mike understands that sometimes things can be taken out of context, and what’s meant as a lighthearted comment can be taken out of context,” Hickey said. “He was good with that, and understands that social media is a great tool to reach our fans for the positive, but you just have to make good choices with that. So we’re all good.”
Pouncey is only offensive line starter from last season still with the team.
James said he had no problem with Pouncey’s tweet.
“He’s probably just playing and just saying things,” James said. “It’s all part of the process being a rookie. I’m just looking forward to coming in and working.”
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