Should NFL Players Not Be Allowed To Use Twitter?

by Jess Root on Oct 17, 2011 3:00 PM MDT in Arizona Cardinals On Twitter

After the Derek Anderson late night Twtter tirade of a year ago, he eventually deleted his account. Jay Feely is on Twitter silence until the Cardinals win again. Darnell Dockett is known to tweet some strange things and sometimes make himself look like a buffoon.

More recently, it was cornerback A.J. Jefferson who had an exchange with a fan about the random things he tweets to interact with his fanbase.

The exchange provoked this comment from Drullin'OverDaCards::

If I was the owner or coach, I think I would ban player tweeting during the season.

Its just too distracting.

He also commented this:

Not a twitter expert - but doesn't most dirt or controversial stuff by celebrities get retweeted to others and ultimately make into into mainstream media

How does the NFL make $$$ from tweeting? I don't think it does, so why allow it - seems to be causing problems, so if its not generating revenue they will do something with it. Sooner or later you will see a player get suspended for inappropriate tweeting - racial slurs, slams on women, bitching about the officiating or something. Then teams will ban it during the season.

I personally disagree with the idea of keeping players from tweeting during the week. Players can tweet dumb things, but that is their right. Plus, as we have learned, it is a great way to connect with fans. I have been able to have questions responded to by all sorts of players. It offers fans a glimpse into the players' lives.

But then again, I love Twitter.

What do you think? Should players be allowed to have personal Twitter accounts and should they be able to tweet whatever they want? If you were a head coach, would you ban it?

Leave your comments below.

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Comments

Let them use it

But if they do anything bad on it, like what DA did, punish them somehow. Either with a fine, banning that person from the site, or something else.

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by JoeCB1991 on Oct 17, 2011 3:02 PM MDT reply actions

I think it's a freedom of speech issue

You can’t ban them from using it, but you can set rules as to when they can use it. Like banning tweeting during an NFL game, or two hours prior and two hours after. But banning twitter would be a bad move and is the first step in a slippery slope. Would the next move be to ban facebook accounts? How deep would we allow the reach of the NFL into the players lives to safe the face of the NFL and a franchise?

Section 103, Row 19

by CardsFan08 on Oct 17, 2011 3:11 PM MDT reply actions

This is not political speech protected by the first amendment and these guys get paid tons of money in exchange for following the player code of conduct

Comissioner goes on and on about protecting the NFL shield and reputation – guys get fined and suspended for off field issues every season – sooner or later someone will tweet something really, really, really stupid.

by Drullin'OverDaCards on Oct 17, 2011 3:17 PM MDT up reply actions

how is that a bad thing?

The more reality and exposure the better.

And from the league’s standpoint, the better relationship fans have with players, the more loyal fans of the product they become.

Everyone wins from twitter even when a player does something dumb.

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by Seth Pollack on Oct 17, 2011 3:58 PM MDT up reply actions

I understand the point - no publicity is bad publicity - not saying I agree - see Big Bens wandering fingers and Michael Vick dog owner

So if you are the coach and you have a player get suspended for a game because of something he said on twitter what are you going to do?

by Drullin'OverDaCards on Oct 17, 2011 4:43 PM MDT up reply actions

I will be interested to see what others think about this

BTW Jess those are both quotes from my comments though hadrarius did agree with me.

by Drullin'OverDaCards on Oct 17, 2011 3:12 PM MDT reply actions

Citing fail...

but fixed.

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by Jess Root on Oct 17, 2011 4:07 PM MDT up reply actions

Stupid is, as stupid does.

The NFL, Franchise owners and HCs should just remind everyone (including refs) that they will be held responsible for what they say as well as what they do.

It should be reiterated that whatever you put out there will never go away!

It is up to the individual whether they are willing to put their career and livelyhood on the line for a tweet or blurb or email. Is it worth it? The question should be asked and the point made.

by AZ retiree on Oct 17, 2011 4:19 PM MDT reply actions

Should be “livelihood” Stupid,stupid,stupid!

by AZ retiree on Oct 17, 2011 5:26 PM MDT up reply actions

I don't mind them using twitter, but I hope some of our players limit their tweets during the season to keep focus

Aaron Rodgers stops right before training camp. When asked about it, he said that he wants to be great, and to be great he had to stay away from stuff (like twitter) that would distract him.

by CanadianCard on Oct 17, 2011 8:37 PM MDT reply actions