Florida Bar puts employee on leave over messages sent to Miami's Damon Wilson II after FSU win

The Florida Bar has put one of its employees on administrative leave while it investigates racist, homophobic and threatening messages sent to Miami defensive lineman Damon Wilson II after the Hurricanes beat Florida State 43-35 in double overtime on Saturday. On3 first reported the move, citing the Associated Press.

The employee is Kade McLendon, a computer technician in the Bar's technology department. An account under his name sent Wilson several direct messages after the game. Wilson posted screenshots on Sunday, and CBS Miami reported that the sender was identified as a Florida State graduate. TheGrio reported that the Bar confirmed who he was soon after the messages spread online.

In its statement, the state's unified bar organization called the messages "ethically and morally reprehensible" and said they broke its internal social media policy for employees. The Bar said it would enforce its policies while protecting any due process rights as its internal investigation continues. Miami players spent the early part of the week speaking up for Wilson, and offensive lineman Ryan Rodriguez called him a brother when asked about it.

The messages came after one of the most disputed finishes of the ACC season. In the second overtime, Florida State looked to have scored on a fourth-and-21 heave from Ashton Daniels to Micahi Danzy, but a holding flag wiped out the touchdown. Seminoles coach Mike Norvell criticized the call on Monday after watching the film and said he had contacted the head of officials. Miami then stopped Florida State on a close call at the goal line on the final play. The Hurricanes moved up to No. 1 in the AP poll after the win.

What it means for Pittsburgh at Miami

None of this changes Miami's lineup. The Hurricanes are 6-0 and host Pittsburgh on Saturday, Oct. 24, on ESPN. Their margins have been lopsided for most of the year: 45-6 at Stanford, 77-7 against Florida A&M, 52-3 against Central Michigan and 41-13 at Clemson. The Florida State game, which needed two overtimes and an eight-point final margin, was the closest anyone has come to them.

The board for Pittsburgh at Miami has 11 venues posting prices, and Miami is a heavy favorite at every one. Novig has the Hurricanes at -1233 on the moneyline. Polymarket's -1185 is the best price anywhere on Miami. On Pittsburgh, Novig lists +1076, and Hard Rock Bet has the high mark at +1100.

The spread shows a bit more disagreement between venues. Novig has Miami favored by 19.5 at -111, with Pittsburgh +19.5 at even money, while BetRivers gives Pittsburgh an extra point at +20.5 (-110). The total sits at 50.5 on Novig, with the over at +102 and the under at -104, and Hard Rock Bet has the under at 51.5 (-115). Sportsbook hold runs from 3.2% to 5.2% on the moneyline and up to 7.0% on the total.

Florida State, now 3-4 after losing three of its last four games, gets a week off before hosting Clemson on Oct. 31 on ACC Network.