When Tweets Lead to Twouble for College Athletes

Lately, there has been a lot of controversy stirring over the content contained in college athletes and perspective athletes’ tweets.

[caption id="attachment_85" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Yuri Wright"][/caption]

Last month a ChatSports writer dropped a huge story on high school senior Yuri Wright no longer being recruited by the University of Michigan. The school decided to suspend Wright’s scholarship because of tweets that the university and some of its alumni felt were sexist, sexual, racist, and overall offensive. Yes a lot of his tweets were innappropriate, but some I feel were just misinterpreted. I commend Michigan for taking some action, but I do think that dropping Wright was a bit drastic.

I know some of you are thinking “okay, but what does this have to do with Clemson?” But it has everything to do with Clemson because it affects all student-athletes in the NCAA. I think the main problem that stems from tweets are interpretation versus intention, and a lack of support from institutions.

What so many people don’t understand is that some of these tweets are just a part of the language used in these athletes’ cultures. There have been numerous athletes in the NCAA as well as the NFL and NBA who have been suspended and/or fined for using the certain words in a derogatory ways. And I’m not excusing their actions, but the intent behind there messages should be considered.

My biggest argument is that a lot of these tweets are song lyrics. Lyrics to songs that can be played in the arenas before, during, and after games but when players use the same words THEN it’s a problem. A bit contradictory don’t you think?! Other tweets I read were everyday phrases and language used in particular cultures, and although I don’t use that type of language myself, I was familiar with a lot of the expressions. Some of them were just simply taken out of context.

I agree that once athletes have agreed to play sports at their chosen institution they should be mindful that they no longer only represent themselves, but their universities also. Because of this they should be sure to monitor the comments they choose to post and the conversations they choose to have. But I think what everyone is forgetting is that these guys are still kids. So instead of Michigan turning their backs to Wright, the coaches should have been willing to not only help develop his athletic skills, but his manners as well.

Universities need to realize they will probably have to teach some of these players the rules or else they will not learn what they are. I mean really, how can a man hear except there be a preacher? I am not only disappointed in Michigan, but also the other schools that let go players to spare themselves from embarrassment. Running at the first sign of trouble! Now what does that tell current and future players about that school?

I want to reiterate the fact that I’m not excusing the actions of Wright and others. I do feel that once players sign contract or commit to a school they become public figures in a sense and should be aware of what they post to public sites. My argument is that their intentions should be understood, they are told of the repercussions of their actions, and given an opportunity to redeem themselves. The colleges should be willing to teach and discipline their players and future players alike, instead of giving them the boot at the first sign of trouble.