The most tempting new trap in the NFL is free, attractive and alarmingly simple. Futures are promised and careers are threatened, all in 140 characters or less.
As the league, its teams and hundreds of players adjust to the newest trend in technology and fan connection, they’re all learning at the same time that Twitter and other social networking sites are the league’s newest Venus fly trap: come on in and get comfortable — but know that there are consequences.
Bobby Wade is a Chiefs wide receiver. His marketing man advised him last month to start a Twitter account. Said it’d be good for his future. Wade is 28, and he knows an NFL player’s career can end any time. He heard that social networking might offer him exposure. He might want to do radio or television someday. It’s nice to have options.
So he registered the Twitter username 80bobbywade, started a blog and a Web site, and tried to begin learning what amounts to a new language. Shortened words and slang phrases, followers and retweets, Trending Topics and Follow Fridays — it’s overwhelming for Wade, but he’s going along with it because it seems like the right thing to do. Besides, what could it hurt?
“It’s really, really new to me,” Wade says.
He pauses.
“I know one thing that comes with it is trouble,” he says.
Wade is standing on this day in the Chiefs locker room. He finishes his discussion and heads toward the shower. Two lockers down, the equipment is undisturbed, and a No. 27 jersey hangs without wear. It’s Larry Johnson’s locker, and he is suspended in part for making disparaging comments on his Twitter page. He called out coach Todd Haley, insulted a fan’s profile picture and ridiculed some of his followers because they weren’t millionaires like Johnson.
On Oct. 25, Johnson tweeted to one follower: “Sorry ur a cornball n ur mom birthed u broke. But I’m cakn patna. While u work or school for 5 dollas n hour. Ha!”
Johnson’s agent, Peter Schaffer, said later that his client was frustrated that the Chiefs had lost again a few hours earlier on that Sunday. Johnson needed to vent. Twitter was there.
For the NFL it was another example of what not to do on social networking sites. And it gave a startling look at how the combination of frustration and electronic ease and access can produce career dynamite and distract an organization that, because of its 1-6 record, needs nothing of the sort.
Johnson’s online rant set off a storm of questions about how the NFL should regulate players’ profiles, if at all, and if teams could or should temper what players say. After all, players are taught in league-mandated media training that it’s best — but hardly an enforceable law — to avoid public criticism of their team, coaches, teammates or fans. Players are taught that such words carry thorns, and those thorns draw blood.
Now two weeks after Johnson logged in hours after a blowout loss to San Diego, the debate continues: Can and should the NFL or its teams stop players from expressing themselves, regardless of the format? Was Johnson’s series of tweets truly conduct detrimental to the team — that’s what he was suspended for — or simply a case of a player setting foot into a new realm of freedom of speech?
“If you feel it, speak your mind,” says Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew, whose own Twitter profile has more than 25,000 followers. “You just know that when you write it down and press send, the whole world gets to see it.
To reach Kent Babb, call 816-234-4386, send e-mail to kbabb@kcstar.com or follow him at twitter.com/kb_kcstar.com
@Nyx.CommentBody@