Nov 8, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay Jr. (50) is introduced before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
It didn’t take long for the labeling to begin.
The moment news broke on Thursday that the K.C. Chiefs had placed linebacker Willie Gay on injured reserve, social media and internet commenters began to do what they do so well: skew any sense of perspective, abandon any nuance, and start to apply labels in the most reductionistic and irresponsible way they can.