With th rise of twitter and "tweeting" it has become easier than ever to let people know exactly how you're feeling at any given moment. Along with this fact come the tweeting of many major athletes such as some of the more colorful ones like Terrell Owens or Chad Ochocinco who aren't afraid to tweet how they really feel. So when does tweeting get atken to far? Does there need to be a point where athletes are cut off from what they can tweet about? And if so where does that line need to be drawn?
I think that Twitter is a great way for fans to feel like they know their favorite players a little more personally, or so they feel. This is because so many athletes will say thinngs on Twitter that they wont say in a press conference or an interview. I think this is because being able to say things on the internet kind of creates a medium between themselves and reality. Or better yet, they feel like they can get away with saying alot more than they could in a press conference or an interview, and they do. But should it be that way? Or is that just what the internet and Twitter allow these athletes to do. There has been controversy in the past where athletes will tweet something that might be inappropriate that is geared towards another player or coach. I don't think that Twitter should be made to limit these players because it is just a social network. However, I do think these players, as professional athletes should hold themselves to a higher standard and restrain themselves from saying inappropriate things just because it's on Twitter.
Drew Banks
Interesting reflection, Drew. I'd be interested to hear more about the way Twitter facilitates, or gives the illusion of facilitating, a relationship between athletes and fans.
ReplyDeleteI agree that professionalism should be important to celebrities with access to sites like twitter. However, I also believe that if a person is willing to tweet something unfavorable, then they should also be willing to stand by it. If a person finds themselves retracting a lot of statements, then they should probably monitor what they are putting into the public view.
ReplyDeleteThe NFL put a rule in last season that says a player or coach can not tweet 45 minutes prior to kickoff and for a certain time after the game concludes. Is it really the NFL's job to control players and coaches on Twitter? Absolutely not. I agree with you that these type of people need to control their actions and take responsibility.
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