College athletes feeling the love/hate on Twitter

[jostar1]

“You’re the worst kicker in Alabama history.”

“Don’t come back to campus.”

The Twitter volcano had erupted, spewing vicious words onto Cade Foster.

“Drink bleach.”

“I’m gonna kill you and your family.”

The 22-year-old senior had missed three field goals against Auburn in 2013, helping cost Alabama a shot at a third consecutive national title. Over the next 24 hours, his Twitter handle (@Foster_43) drew more than 12,000 mentions.

Athletes have long been trained to ignore newspaper coverage and talk radio, to avoid criticism and block out the noise after the games end. But the proliferation of Twitter and the social media platform’s 302 million users allows vitriol to hit people in a place that’s hard to avoid, especially for this phone-clutching generation of college athletes.

http://www.startribune.com/college-athletes-feeling-the-love-and-hate-on-twitter/304836191/

 

[phillionaire]

I've never understood people who attack college athletes on Twitter. Seems really petty and like you should find something better to do with your life.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

It's definitely gotten very bad. I noticed a lot of this after Diamond Stone committed to Maryland - a lot of the hate came from Wisconsin fans but still. Though, most big-time athletes know what they're getting into with Twitter and no doubt their coaches have warned them about social media. There's really no solution to it. You either ignore it or you get off Twitter.

 

[Jerry1714]

I've never understood people who attack college athletes on Twitter. Seems really petty and like you should find something better to do with your life.

Those people are huge losers. Although I would say that for the fanboys who tweet their love at athletes as well.

 

[Rocktheworld]

I've never understood people who attack college athletes on Twitter. Seems really petty and like you should find something better to do with your life.

Don't tell that to VCU fans; that's how they (momentarily) won Mack.

 

[Leebo]

Yeah, it's just a case where people feel that their need to vent frustration over an ultimately meaningless sporting event is more important than the mental well-being of a real person who is being flooded with negativity.

 

[CTGoonie]

I'm going to make a promise to the Yard right now that if we miss a chance at our 3rd straight NC due to a missed FG I won't bother the kicker.

 

[Kembacity]

Yeah the comments on social media are pretty disturbing overall. Positive fanboy-ism is one thing, but being completely rude and awful to anyone on there is pretty low, like you have nothing you'd rather do with your day than type out awful things to people who don't care what you think?

I recently saw some of this dumb internet rage on instagram. One of the models I follow suddenly had all of these awful comments calling her a wh*re and stuff of that nature... turns out she started dating the drummer of some band that is massively popular with teen girls. So tons of teen girls comment on a bathing suit model's pictures calling her awful things because she's dating a grown man they fantasize about... its really pathetic and sad

 

[Rocktheworld]

Yeah the comments on social media are pretty disturbing overall. Positive fanboy-ism is one thing, but being completely rude and awful to anyone on there is pretty low, like you have nothing you'd rather do with your day than type out awful things to people who don't care what you think?

I recently saw some of this dumb internet rage on instagram. One of the models I follow suddenly had all of these awful comments calling her a wh*re and stuff of that nature... turns out she started dating the drummer of some band that is massively popular with teen girls. So tons of teen girls comment on a bathing suit model's pictures calling her awful things because she's dating a grown man they fantasize about... its really pathetic and sad

I think it's because that behavior is basically expected of little girls (jealousy is a feminine emotion) is why it's so pathetic when grown-ass men do it.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Barkley went off about fans today on the herd. He was spot on. I love chuck

 

[Kitaman]

Interesting that the Supreme Court seemed to kick the football (pun intended) on social media threats just today:
http://fox59.com/2015/06/01/supreme...-of-posting-threatening-messages-on-facebook/
Supreme Court rules in favor of man convicted of posting threatening messages on Facebook

 

[uconnell]

I think it's because that behavior is basically expected of little girls (jealousy is a feminine emotion) is why it's so pathetic when grown-ass men do it.

No it's not. Some men are very jealous.

 

[imno1]

I've never understood people who attack college athletes on Twitter. Seems really petty.

cuz they don't end up with an real whipping on the web.

 

[mets1090]

No it's not. Some men are very jealous.

Perception. Jealousy and envy are perceived as feminine emotions.

 

[Rocktheworld]

No it's not. Some men are very jealous.

Did I say men are incapable of feeling feminine emotions?

Notice I made a gender distinction, not a sex distinction. There are absolutely men who are dominated by jealousy; I'd simply say they are more effeminate than men who tend to not be as jealous.

 

[Rocktheworld]

Perception. Jealousy and envy are perceived as feminine emotions.

Because the more masculine thing to do, rather than talk and try to in some way affect someone's social standing in such a way (which tends to be a woman's attack plan), is to do something about it when something makes them feel insecure.

 

[Leebo]

Seems like a no-true-scotsman thing you've got going on.

"Jealousy is feminine."
"But plenty of men are jealous."
"Well, only the effeminate ones."

So, you're not a "real" man if you are jealous, thereby preserving your assessment of it as a feminine trait.

 

[Huskies4ever]

Interesting that the Supreme Court seemed to kick the football (pun intended) on social media threats just today:
Supreme Court rules in favor of man convicted of posting threatening messages on Facebook

I would certainly have Elonis' head thoroughly examined after the school shooting line.

That would be a red flag that the guy needs some serious help.

 

[RichZ]

Way before Twitter, the guy who I think might have absorbed the most fan based internet vitriol was Chris Simms, when he replaced Major Applewhite.

Does anyone else remember "BringBackTheMajor?"

 

[CallMeBruce]

Because the more masculine thing to do, rather than talk and try to in some way affect someone's social standing in such a way (which tends to be a woman's attack plan), is to do something about it when something makes them feel insecure.

WTF is this?

 

[CallMeBruce]

Perception. Jealousy and envy are perceived as feminine emotions.

Somebody needs to brush up on his Shakespeare.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

WTF is this?

It doesn't even move the crazy needle around here these days.

 

[Kitaman]

No it's not. Some men are very jealous.

Agree but its not 'some men' its a lot of men. Let me get a new car, a nice house, nice outfit, job promotion, high end phone/computer, pretty secretary, cash windfall, etc... Contrary to what anyone says here men certainly get jealous especially when it comes to material things. When a neighbor gets a new car it ain't the wife clamoring to replace the one they got.

Jealousy is a human emotion neither masculine or feminine. Its evident in the animal world as well.

 

[Rocktheworld]

WTF is this?

A little perspective

 

[Rocktheworld]

Seems like a no-true-scotsman thing you've got going on.

"Jealousy is feminine."
"But plenty of men are jealous."
"Well, only the effeminate ones."

So, you're not a "real" man if you are jealous, thereby preserving your assessment of it as a feminine trait.

Or maybe it's just a sliding scale rather than a dichotomy. Never said anything about a "real man"

We all have feminine traits and tendencies (and all women can demonstrate some masculine traits and tendencies); some moreso than others.