NYC public college program director claims he's not the pants-less man in photo HE posted to Twitter with the caption 'no kids were present for this blackmail photo'
- J. Michael Steele, 52, of the City University of New York, posted a photo of a man walking around a classroom without pants on Thursday
- Steele joked about the hot weather while posting a picture of the pants-less man, who only wore sneakers, a shirt and a mask
- He has since taken the picture down and denied that he is the man in the photo
- CUNY has apologized for the educator's post and said the school system is taking appropriate action over the incident
The director of The City University of New York's program aimed at exposing young students to college courses denied he's the pants-less man in a tweet he posted on social media.
J. Michael Steele, 52, who serves with CUNY's Early College Initiative, posted a photo of a man walking around a classroom without pants, only wearing a striped shirt, black sneakers and a COVID mask.
Providing as little context as possible, Steele used the image to poke fun at the 90 degree temperature in New York.
'When it's hot outside and inside. It's Pom Pom shorts time,' Steele tweeted on Thursday. 'No kids were present for this blackmail photo.'
He told the New York Post that he was not the man in the picture, but would not say who the inappropriately dressed man was. The man in the picture, however, does have a tattoo on his left arm similar to the one Steele has.
J. Michael Steele, 52, of the City University of New York, posted a photo of a man walking around a classroom without pants on Thursday
Steele (above) serves with CUNY's Early College Initiative, which provides students in grades six through 12 the chance to take on university-prep courses. He has since taken the picture down and denied that he is the pants-less man
CUNY has apologized for the educator's post and said appropriate action is now being taken
The post led to outrage online, causing CUNY to intervene and apologize for the incident.
'This post was brought to our attention, subsequently removed and appropriate action is now being taken,' the university said in a statement. 'CUNY is committed to providing an appropriate learning environment for all its students.'
Steele, a former teacher and principal in Massachusetts and Detroit, has worked for 10 years with students in grades six through 12, helping them take on university-prep courses that earn them college credit.
Following the backlash, Steele has since deleted the post and made his Twitter account private.
CUNY officials said the university does not comment on personnel matters as it addresses Steele's post.
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While the original post no longer exists, it has been retweeted, with many taking to social media to further ridicule the pantless man, while others vented their frustration over the partial nudity at a public school.
Twitter user Tess T. Eccles-Brown poked fun at the man in a sarcastic tweet applauding him for his commitment to stay comfortable over creating a proper teaching environment.
'I wish all of the teachers were as comfortable with themselves as this guy,' she wrote. 'Imagine how free he feels. A great environment for learning!'
Many took to social media to express their outrage and mock they pants-less man
Another Twitter user with the handle, Noctis Draven, appeared dumbfounded by the photo, writing: 'Seems like a legit place to take a photo like that... People willingly send their kids to these places??? [Like], really???'
A Twitter user going by Ben was much more critical, tweeting: 'A legitimate psych eval would be a nice addition to the screening process for these people.'
Another person with handle The Dunadan on Twitter couldn't help but join in the scores of sarcastic comments about the pants-less man.
'I'm deeply envious of his high level of professionalism,' they wrote.
Twitter user Maze, however, took a direct jab at the man in the photo, tweeting: 'It takes a lot of balls to do something this stupid. On second glance, no it doesn't.'
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