The Finger Wag – Athletes using Twitter and Social Media to their Disadvantage

jrich23

(Jason Richardson)

Heading to practice n caught Emineim new freestyle on Shade 45. Reminds me y he's in top 5 rappers alive. On 3:12 PM Apr 28th 2010 from Echofon

So I also heard this remix today. I think it’s great but don’t take my word for it, I grew up during the hieght of Eminem’s career so I like him a little too much.

The interesting thing when relating to sports is the refrence to Big Ben in the song:

“Fuck that, I’d rather turn this club into a bar room brawl/Get as rowdy as Roethlisberger in a bathroom stall.”

jalenrose

(Jalen Rose)

(Nfl)Steelers Big Ben is suspended min 4-6 games...depending on good behavior..too easy or harsh? I think this penalty is too heavy On 2:30 PM Apr 21st 2010 from UberTwitter

Also an odd scheduling note that the Steelers have 5 national TV games none of which before week 6.

thurmanthomas

(Thurman Thomas)

Does anyone think Big Ben will get suspended? On 3:42 PM Apr 13th 2010 from Echofon

Thurman Thomas brings up the question of the day. There is a rumored meeting between Goodell and Big Ben happening sometime soon and a lot of folks are questioning the outcome. Some people, including Bills DB Drayton Florence, are saying since he wasn’t even charged with a crime there is no way he can be suspended.

DraytonFlorence

(drayton florence)

@thurmanthomas the court of law didn't punish him y should the commisioner you don't think he has to much power? more than the court of law! On 4:51 PM Apr 13th 2010 from Tweetosaurus in reply to Thurman Thomas

Thurman, not one to let his views go unknown, retorted with these two tweets:

thurmanthomas

(Thurman Thomas)

@DraytonFlorence Conduct detrimental to the league On 4:58 PM Apr 13th 2010 from Echofon in reply to drayton florence

thurmanthomas

(Thurman Thomas)

What did Pac-Man Jones actually do to get suspended On 5:06 PM Apr 13th 2010 from Echofon

This is where the problem really is. We have a man who has been accused of harassing two young women and possibly a third now according to Pro Football Talk:

ProFootballTalk

(ProFootballTalk)

Boston attorney says he investigated another Roethlisberger incident http://is.gd/br4tv #NFL On 3:18 PM Apr 13th 2010 from API

On the other hand, he has never even been charged with a crime, let alone convicted. Pacman was never convicted of a crime but he was charged. The Big Ben cases haven’t gone even that far. Commisoner Goodell’s power in these type of situations is far reaching and truth be told the player’s union couldn’t do much about if Goodell hands out the suspension (if the team suspends Ben it is a different story).

This type of situation with athletes is always tricky; we all know there are people out there who may falsely accuse Ben just for the payday that goes with something like this. I tend to lean with the “where there is smoke, there is fire philosophy” but what do I know?

It seems some sponsors are taking the Tiger Woods approach with Big Ben though:

judybattista

(Judy Battista)

Pitt-based business that markets "Big Ben Beef Jerky" is terminating its five year relationship with him today. On 4:13 PM Apr 13th 2010 from TweetDeck

So the dropping of sponsors has begun. What the world will do without Big Ben Beef Jerky is the question? Maybe they should have renamed it Big Ben Beef Jerk (get it? I dropped the y to make it an insult! High comedy from ScottiePP7 today!)

Who could this sponsor be?

judybattista

(Judy Battista)

In 14 years in business, the owner has never terminated an agreement. He was guy behind Flutie Flakes. Enjoyed working w/T.O. last year. On 4:36 PM Apr 13th 2010 from TweetDeck

Flutie Flakes???

Awesome.