Damian Goddard brought his case to the Canadian Human Rights Commission
Catholic Register Staff
TORONTO (CCN)
This story has been edited.
Former Rogers Sportsnet host Damian Goddard is accustomed to talking into a camera. But with the lights temporarily shut off on his TV career he is looking forward to telling his story to a live audience.
Goddard will be a featured speaker at the Toronto Pro-Life Forum 2012 to be held June 15-16 at Hotel Novotel in Toronto.
Goddard was fired by Sportsnet, part of Rogers Media, in May 2011 after he tweeted support for hockey agent Todd Reynolds’s position against gay marriage. Rogers says the firing was unrelated to Goddard’s tweet. A year later, still seeking fulltime employment in the broadcast industry, Goddard stands behind his words.
“I would send the tweet again,” said Goddard. “I would not change a darn thing.”
Goddard brought his case to the Canadian Human Rights Commission, where he and Rogers have undergone a mediation session. He said mediation “didn’t solve anything” but he’s “not at liberty to discuss the particulars of the mediation.”
“Rogers is prepared to battle, as am I.”
If mediation fails, the case will go to a tribunal. Meantime, Goddard is focusing his energy on his faith.
“I’ve met some amazing, wonderful people, some very faithful people, and I have to think that the Holy Spirit guided me to certain people,” Goddard said.
Goddard plans to address the forum on issues of courage and how to lean on your faith in tough times, which he said has helped him overcome struggles.
“It’s been a source of immense strength for me personally,” Goddard said. “That’s not to say that I do not suffer from … letdowns, but overall it’s just been an incredible jolt of love.”
Goddard hopes to get back into broadcasting, as he believes being in front of a camera and talking to people is the gift God gave him. But he is excited at the opportunity to engage in public speaking.
Editor’s note: This story has changed. The original story had a sub-head that read “Damian Goddard terminated by Sportsnet for his stance on gay marriage.” This was not true. We retract the sub-headline and we apologize to Sportsnet and our readers. Sportsnet has been clear the firing was unrelated to Goddard’s stance on gay marriage.
