{NFL/Social Media} "That's Debateable!" - Social Media Men

This situation is becoming more and more prevalent in our society lately. My debate about social media and Pro Athletes (and all famous people with 10,000+ Followers) stems from the recent Twitter Postings of Rashard Mendenhall, Starting HB for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

My question to the world is this, Does the 1st ammendment stop when we go digital. Think about it, In America, freedom of speech is more than just a staple of our society, it is a law with many, many precedents that support it throughout our history. The internet is accessed by the world, the boundaries of our countries become blurred when you enter cyberspace. It's not easy to know who is where unless it is bluntly presented to you. So, where is the limit and should there be one?

Rashard Mendenhall recently tweeted a barrage of comments over a 24 hour period regarding the death/killing of Osama Bin Laden. Some of the tweets included comments like:

"We'll never know what really happened. I just have a hard time believing a plane could take a skyscraper down demolition style"

"What kind of person celebrates death? It's amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We've only heard one side..."

"For those of you who said you want to see Bin Laden burn ... I ask how would God feel about your heart?"


While I don't completely agree with Mendenhall's comments, I think he has every right, regardless of who his employer may be, to speak his mind. He has a contract with the Steelers, if a Twitter Gag Order was part of the Contract, then I would understand, if not, he should have no liability to his comments, let the man speak and let his reputation be enhanced or deterred natrually. But, It is not fair for all these speculators to just jump all over him and say "That is wrong," and "he can't say that."

One last comment I have is to all you ignorant people that call educated people ignorant. This man, Mendenhall, while not completely correct is expressing an "opinion," google the definition of the word. And he also is trying to encourage people to "think" (google that too) and not just believe everything the media tells them. Do your own research and form your own opinions, don't just believe that because the news said it or the government said it, it must be true.

What do you all think?! Am I on another planet here or what...?

Posted in: Freedom of Speech,NFL,Osama Bin Laden,Pittsburgh Steelers,Twitter