For decades and decades — until about 15 years ago — angry fans interacted with athletes only occasionally, be it during a public run-in or from the stands at a game. Fans shared their opinions publicly via radio show call-ins or letters to the editor.
Today?
Fans have direct and constant access to the athletes themselves via social media, be it Twitter/X, Instagram or Facebook. If you’re, say, a Mizzou Tiger, fans can flood your phone with their opinions about you — good or bad — and fans of opposing teams, too. There aren’t many filters. And often, fans can hide behind an online identity.