Sooners players targeted on Twitter

[Lott's Bandana]

Didn't see this posted, pologies if I missed it.


Phukkrz:




Assaulted with Twitter trash, Sooners do their best to sweep it up, rise above

Whether they were trying to get Oklahoma stirred up during Florida State week or just trying amuse themselves, someone used the anonymity of the internet to conduct a vile assault on the Sooners. How they rose above it is a story worth noting.


By Jenni Carlson Oklahoman http://s3.amazonaws.com/content.newsok.com/newsok/images/comment_icon.gif 8 (http://newsok.com/article/3604122#disqus_thread) Published: September 14, 2011



Prepare to be shocked by the behavior of a group of college athletes.
Shocked in a good way.
There were two tweeting twerps who used Twitter (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Twitter+Inc.&CATEGORY=COMPANY) to attack several Oklahoma (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Oklahoma+Sooners+(Football)&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION) football players earlier this week. Tony Jefferson was the first target. Brennan Clay (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Brennan+Clay&CATEGORY=PERSON), Ryan Broyles (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Ryan+Broyles&CATEGORY=PERSON) and others were besieged, too.
http://photos.newsok.com/2/showimage/1511066/medium (http://newsok.com/assaulted-with-twitter-trash-sooners-do-their-best-to-sweep-it-up-rise-above/multimedia/photos/gallery/3604122/1/1511066)
Oklahoma safety/linebacker Tony Jefferson and some teammates fended off some verbal assaults via Twitter this week. Staff photo by The Oklahoman.

Multimedia

Photoview all photos (http://newsok.com/assaulted-with-twitter-trash-sooners-do-their-best-to-sweep-it-up-rise-above/multimedia/photos/gallery/3604122/1/)


http://photos.newsok.com/2/showimage/1511066/sq60/ (http://newsok.com/assaulted-with-twitter-trash-sooners-do-their-best-to-sweep-it-up-rise-above/multimedia/photos/gallery/3604122/1/1511066?custom_click=email_multimedia_gallery)
Assaulted with Twitter trash, Sooners do their best to sweep it up, rise above (http://newsok.com/assaulted-with-twitter-trash-sooners-do-their-best-to-sweep-it-up-rise-above/multimedia/photos/gallery/3604122/1)



While it's impossible to know what motivated the offending cowards who hid behind the internet's anonymity — Were they Florida State (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Florida+State+University&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION) fans attempting to get a rise out of the Sooners before Saturday's showdown? Were they Seminole haters posing as fans and trying to give Florida State a black eye? — they took ugly to a whole new level.
The Sooners themselves did not.
There were no offensive exchanges, no disgusting retorts, no objectionable comebacks.
The Sooners showed class. Perhaps it's sad that we'd be surprised that athletes, particularly college-aged ones, would act so maturely, but in a sports world too often appalled by the actions of athletes, these young men were surprising for all the right reasons.
The whole thing started Monday night with a Florida State fan encouraging others on Twitter to talk trash to Jefferson (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Tony+Jefferson&CATEGORY=PERSON), who is a regular on the social media site. I'm sure the guy just expected people to have a little fun with him.
Someone posting under the name TheGhettoWizard was anything but fun.
While the details easy enough to find on the World Wide Web, I refuse to waste keystrokes on every last detail here. Suffice it to say, the tweets mentioned horrible things befalling Jefferson's mother and sister. They referenced the Oklahoma City (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Oklahoma+City&CATEGORY=CITY) bombing. They even mentioned Sooner linebacker Austin Box (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Austin+Box&CATEGORY=PERSON), who died less than four months ago.
That's not trash talk.
That's trash.
Whitney Box, Austin's older sister, tweeted to Jefferson.
Box: “Not gonna lie, it is taking everything in my power not to tweet that guy … I don't understand how ppl can be like that.”
Jefferson: “I'm in shock. Like (I don't know) wat to do … ”
Box: “Rise above. Austin (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Austin&CATEGORY=CITY) would've laughed at him. He's not worth your time.”
It's easy to talk about turning a blind eye to such dregs.
It's a lot harder to do.
But Jefferson didn't retaliate in kind. No ugly posts. No hateful responses.
He wasn't the only Sooner to react that way.
There were several other players on Twitter at that time, including Brennan Clay. Those two buddies are extremely outgoing and very engaging with their teammates. If they knew what was being said, it's safe to assume many other Sooners did, too.
But the vitriol was nearly nil.
Sooner quarterback Drew Allen (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Drew+Allen&CATEGORY=PERSON) apparently lashed out at the disparaging comments about Austin Box. He later deleted the tweet but issued an apology.
“Just want to apologize for my little outburst,” he wrote on Twitter. “Moment of shock and anger. Austin would've handled it differently!”
When Whitney Box (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Whitney+Box&CATEGORY=PERSON) told Allen that her brother would've laughed at the comments, Allen tweeted, “you're right Whit but I didn't laugh.”
“I didn't either,” she replied, “but I know he'd laugh at me for caring about that.”
All of this is heart wrenching. Talk to the players, and you know that Box's death remains a fresh wound. Read about the Box family, and you understand that their pain is still severe.
Imagine then when an account called AustinBoxZombie surfaced Tuesday afternoon. Again, I'll spare you the details, but the stuff that posted was in as bad a taste as the account's name might suggest.
Broyles responded directly to it. The Sooner receiver wrote that the account was playing with fire and that the whole thing was “shameful.”
Most Sooner fans weren't so nice. They lashed out at the tweeting trolls, using profanity and calling names. It would've been easy for the Sooners to do the same. It's one thing to ignore ugly things coming out of the stands on a Saturday afternoon. But doing the same when the words sit there on a computer screen screaming at you? That's a new one for athletes.
But the Sooners kept their cool.
Nowadays, that isn't the norm. But when these guys had every opportunity to answer garbage with garbage, they refused to sink to the trashy level of those tweeters. They were classy. They were respectable.
They were surprising — in a good way.

[delhalew]

Jeez. What is wrong with people?

[tanjou]

The Osceola/Murrah building image is pretty disgusting. I'm only going to link it here... http://i.imgur.com/uWaCV.png

I mean, really.

[sooneredaco]

I can't wait to see OUr boys let it all out on the field ! I hope we stomp the living crap out of them!

[All_Day_28]

Trash

[MsProudSooner]

Trash is the only semi-polite word that comes to mind.

[Dan Thompson]

I'm sayin by 17 points, or more.

[SoonerfaninIA]

trollers will be trolls..if it walks like a troll and talks like a troll...= it is!

[soonergirlNeugene]

wow
When I heard this story reported on the 12:00 news I thought it was kinda dumb as trolls will be trolls. Thats disgusting though.

[SoonerDood]

F$U fans have always been the dregs of society.

[sooneredaco]

I'm starting to hate that program and all of it's disgusting fans as much as I hate *

[SoonerInLubbock]

I'm pretty sure this isn't from anyone directly connected w FSU. As mentioned before just some sick trolls. I'm glad to see OUr players taking the high road.

[sooneredaco]

I'm pretty sure this isn't from anyone directly connected w FSU. As mentioned before just some sick trolls. I'm glad to see OUr players taking the high road.

I agree, but IMO it's still a reflection of that program. They didn't get the nickname criminoles for no reason. Just sayin.....

[OhU1]

The Osceola/Murrah building image is pretty disgusting. I'm only going to link it here... http://i.imgur.com/uWaCV.png

I mean, really.

I bet most FSU fans would be very embarrassed by this. This is the kind of trash sites like 4Chan and Shaggybevo mistake for comedy.

[BoulderSooner79]

I'm pretty sure this isn't from anyone directly connected w FSU. As mentioned before just some sick trolls. I'm glad to see OUr players taking the high road.

Agreed - this is a problem with the anonymous nature of the internet. You feel really foolish getting all worked up about something like this and then finding out you accused the wrong party. I've been sucked in myself, so I just ignore it unless there is proof.

[Caboose]

I wish Twitter would just go away.

[SoonerMom2]

On KREF some guy called in to say one site tracked down the first lowlife to a fraternity at FSU -- they have his name, posted his picture, and he is a student at FSU. Lack of class out of FSU fans but then I am not shocked at all. There is a reason when I drive to FL I never stay in Tallahassee but stop at Pensacola. Cannot stand the town and the campus cannot even come close to OU for looks -- was shocked at the state of the buildings for their fraternities and sororities. Traffic was an absolute nightmare. Not impressed at all -- have a good friend who is an FSU grad who wanted me to spot him 20 points in a bet after he was at their first two games this year.

[silverwheels]

Twitter has its positive uses. Using it to anonymously talk **** about public figures isn't one of them. Although the dumbass that started it wasn't smart enough to use a different alias and his personal info was discovered. Oops.

[CBUS_SOONER]

Amazing. Its just a frickin game and these pieces of trash are bringing AB and the OKC bombing up. WTF My first thought was I hope it motivates our boys to kick some azz but then I thought man its just a game. People like that will have some tuff questions to answer in the future

[Caboose]

Amazing. Its just a frickin game and these pieces of trash are bringing AB and the OKC bombing up. WTF My first thought was I hope it motivates our boys to kick some azz but then I thought man its just a game. People like that will have some tuff questions to answer in the future

Florida. We are talking about the state of Florida here. And keep in mind, FSU fans are absolute class compared to Miami fans.

[Williesan]

Simply appalling. I have no other words to describe that Twitter trash.

My only words to our guys: Do what they did in 2003 when Less Smiles came to town... "TREAT THEM LIKE TEXAS."

That is all.

Williesan

[I Am Right]

Wow. What can I say. Man I hope we kick their A**!

[8timechamps]

Karma's a bitch.

[LVSOONER15]

On land thieves some posters did some digging and found out who that guy is. They even found out his phone number and called him. He has since put an apology. What an idiot.

[BajaOklahoma]

There is also speculation that the second idiot tweeting trash is the same guy using a dfferent name.

[Wishboned]

These *******s seem to think it's hilarious...

http://the-mainboard.com/index.php?threads/fsu-tmb-user-casanovafrankenstein-is-now-a-celebrity.98520/

[oudavid1]

These *******s seem to think it's hilarious...

http://the-mainboard.com/index.php?threads/fsu-tmb-user-casanovafrankenstein-is-now-a-celebrity.98520/

These guys did everything they could to come after me around page 7. They may think they are mean. I couldnt stop laughing.

I may be a dbag, but i dont ever take it that low.

PS stuff they said about me was funny. Some of it bs of course, but it got them away from players for a few hours.

[EatLeadCommie]

Welcome to the modern world. It used to be phone calls late at night to the team hotel before the game. Now it's Twitter trash AND late night phone calls.

[silverwheels]

These *******s seem to think it's hilarious...

http://the-mainboard.com/index.php?threads/fsu-tmb-user-casanovafrankenstein-is-now-a-celebrity.98520/

That seems to be the board where all of the people who got beat up every day now vent their frustration and anger under cover of message board user names and anonymity. Kinda sad.

[marfacowboy]

I bet most FSU fans would be very embarrassed by this. This is the kind of trash sites like 4Chan and Shaggybevo mistake for comedy.

I agree. But it's beyond the puerile crap you unfortunately see on some boards. This is sick and uncalled for. Pathetic....

[BajaOklahoma]

I heard the the FSU President, Eric Barron, has apologized to Oklahoma. And that the guy will be disiplined.

[SoonerofAlabama]

So, now the Austin Box death is a running joke with them?

Trash.

[NathanStinson]

http://floridastate.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=1079&tid=147380195&mid=147380195&sid=1061&style=2

[EatLeadCommie]

You know, regardless of the fact that the internet has empowered otherwise timid people to become boorish a-holes, I just realized that an incoming freshman to FSU would have been a year old when the OKC bombing happened. Probably none of the undergrad students have any memory of it. As far as they're concerned, it is ancient history. That would explain, but not excuse, why somebody might be detached enough to think that to joke about it is funny.

[sooner KB]

If you read the comments on that "TMB" website (not an FSU site obviously, but people into internet trolling--there are actually a lot of OU fans on it) it is pretty obvious they are not actually laughing at the bombing, Box, etc, but laughing at the reaction (it being on the news, and all of the twitter responses). The entire point is to say things very awful or disturbing, and then laugh at everyone's reaction. It's not the bombing or Box they find funny. What makes it funny to them is how some people don't realize they are being trolled, and get angry and emotional.

I'm not condoning it by any means, I just thought I would point out what internet trolling is. At the end, they are still getting laughs at others expense, just not exactly in the way the victims (those that got angry) think. And by the way, I will agree with them that it is pretty sad (sad instead of funny for me, since I'm an Oklahoman), that something like this would make the news. Do people in 2011 not realize how much these kinds of things get posted on the internet? This is news worthy? One random troll on the internet?

And lets stop with the whole "FSU fans...", etc. I feel stupid for even having to say this, but one person obviously doesn't represent a huge group of people. It doesn't remotely make sense from any logical/mathematical point of view.

[soonergirlNeugene]

The Osceola/Murrah building image is pretty disgusting. I'm only going to link it here... http://i.imgur.com/uWaCV.png

I mean, really.

I wonder how the Seminole Tribe of Florida feels about the "respectful nature" in which they have been depicted by virtue of their relationship with Florida State University.
http://www.bluecorncomics.com/seminole.htm

[sooner KB]

I wonder how the Seminole Tribe of Florida feels about the "respectful nature" in which they have been depicted by virtue of their relationship with Florida State University.
http://www.bluecorncomics.com/seminole.htm

Yeah, I'm sure they are really mad at Florida State University for making that picture...

[G8trGr8t]

This isn't the first time they have stooped so low. Danny Rolling murdered 5 students in Gainesville in 1990 and I still remember some of their fans correlating that behaivor to what they were going to do to the Gators when they came to town next time.

F$U is the school many go to when they can't get admitted to UF or afford to go to UM. They aren't all bad but the culture is loose there and the ones that are good seem to be more interested in being relevant again than enforcing any code of decorum amongst their brethren. If the cops there were like the barney fife's in Gainesville, they wouldn't be able to field a team half the time. Total thug culture in that football program.

[MsProudSooner]

If you read the comments on that "TMB" website (not an FSU site obviously, but people into internet trolling--there are actually a lot of OU fans on it) it is pretty obvious they are not actually laughing at the bombing, Box, etc, but laughing at the reaction (it being on the news, and all of the twitter responses). The entire point is to say things very awful or disturbing, and then laugh at everyone's reaction. It's not the bombing or Box they find funny. What makes it funny to them is how some people don't realize they are being trolled, and get angry and emotional.

I'm not condoning it by any means, I just thought I would point out what internet trolling is. At the end, they are still getting laughs at others expense, just not exactly in the way the victims (those that got angry) think. And by the way, I will agree with them that it is pretty sad (sad instead of funny for me, since I'm an Oklahoman), that something like this would make the news. Do people in 2011 not realize how much these kinds of things get posted on the internet? This is news worthy? One random troll on the internet?

And lets stop with the whole "FSU fans...", etc. I feel stupid for even having to say this, but one person obviously doesn't represent a huge group of people. It doesn't remotely make sense from any logical/mathematical point of view.

I don't know what's more sad:

1) The fact that people like the FSU student don't know where the line you simply don't cross is

or

2) The fact that that there are boards like you describe where people think it's funny to be a troll.

They are equally pathetic, I guess.

[jumperstop]

If you read the comments on that "TMB" website (not an FSU site obviously, but people into internet trolling--there are actually a lot of OU fans on it) it is pretty obvious they are not actually laughing at the bombing, Box, etc, but laughing at the reaction (it being on the news, and all of the twitter responses). The entire point is to say things very awful or disturbing, and then laugh at everyone's reaction. It's not the bombing or Box they find funny. What makes it funny to them is how some people don't realize they are being trolled, and get angry and emotional.

I'm not condoning it by any means, I just thought I would point out what internet trolling is. At the end, they are still getting laughs at others expense, just not exactly in the way the victims (those that got angry) think. And by the way, I will agree with them that it is pretty sad (sad instead of funny for me, since I'm an Oklahoman), that something like this would make the news. Do people in 2011 not realize how much these kinds of things get posted on the internet? This is news worthy? One random troll on the internet?

And lets stop with the whole "FSU fans...", etc. I feel stupid for even having to say this, but one person obviously doesn't represent a huge group of people. It doesn't remotely make sense from any logical/mathematical point of view.

It's one thing to troll other fans, but to say directly to a player I hope your sister and mother get raped and have cancer etc...is way way ****ed up.

[Lott's Bandana]

If you read the comments on that "TMB" website (not an FSU site obviously, but people into internet trolling--there are actually a lot of OU fans on it) it is pretty obvious they are not actually laughing at the bombing, Box, etc, but laughing at the reaction (it being on the news, and all of the twitter responses). The entire point is to say things very awful or disturbing, and then laugh at everyone's reaction. It's not the bombing or Box they find funny. What makes it funny to them is how some people don't realize they are being trolled, and get angry and emotional.

I'm not condoning it by any means, I just thought I would point out what internet trolling is. At the end, they are still getting laughs at others expense, just not exactly in the way the victims (those that got angry) think. And by the way, I will agree with them that it is pretty sad (sad instead of funny for me, since I'm an Oklahoman), that something like this would make the news. Do people in 2011 not realize how much these kinds of things get posted on the internet? This is news worthy? One random troll on the internet?

And lets stop with the whole "FSU fans...", etc. I feel stupid for even having to say this, but one person obviously doesn't represent a huge group of people. It doesn't remotely make sense from any logical/mathematical point of view.


I fail to find a distinction between vile, disgusting, deplorable azzholes and vile, disgusting, deplorable trolls.

Just cause you only drove the train full of people to Auschwitz doesn't make it okay that you did.

[oudanny]

It's a pathetic attempt to be cute or funny or whatever, but unfortunately every fanbase seems to have some of these - including ours. The entire FSU fanbase should not be painted with the same broad brush that describes this loser. I am proud that our players intend to do their talking on the field.

[BigJerm7]

freedom of speech doesn't mean freedom from an *** whipping when your run your mouth.

[Keller Sooner]

Those FSU frat boys are a Proctologist's dream......a whole bunch of azzholes.

[Dio]

We stomped a mudhole in FreeShoes last year for ratting out Mike Balogun. I'm sure pics of Osceola in front of the Murrah Building and especially ****-talking about Austin will go over verrrrrry well this year.

[SoonerPride]

For years I've thought 99% of the people in Florida are scum.

I've seen little evidence to change that opinion.

[OUDoc]

especially ****-talking about Austin will go over verrrrrry well this year.

Yeah, this won't sit well.

[DYNOMITE]

Florida. We are talking about the state of Florida here. And keep in mind, FSU fans are absolute class compared to Miami fans.

Before the 08 NC I was on a gaytor board and they were making fun of the bombing. There were a few who were chewing them out though.

[SoonerLaw09]

It is hereby ON.

If it wasn't on before, it's ON now.

[CrimsonCommando]

The LAST THING you ever want to do is give the other team bulletin-board material. Having said material show up on their phones/computers is worse IMO. I would stab a ****er that said those things about Austin/ my buddy's mom/sister. I HOPE TO GOD WE CURB-STOMP THEM TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT!!!!

[SoonerPride]

The reaction of their board is also troubling.

You don't excuse crap like that by saying "every fan base has jerks like this."

No. That doesn't cut it.

You say "this guy is a creep and I do not condone his actions."

Period.

That's it.

Any other reaction is weak.

[Lott's Bandana]

That TMB board makes me grateful we have mods and rules and a certain decorum.

I'm not suggesting we all sip tea and stick our pinkies out, but reading that TMB thread makes me nervous for our culture. Not hyperbole, I just can't describe it any other way.

[soonergirlNeugene]

Yeah, I'm sure they are really mad at Florida State University for making that picture...

I've seen tribes get upset over much less. I'd like to see the Florida Seminoles come around to the thinking of the Oklahoma Seminoles and make FSU come up with something else to represent their sports teams.

[sooneron]

If you read the comments on that "TMB" website (not an FSU site obviously, but people into internet trolling--there are actually a lot of OU fans on it) it is pretty obvious they are not actually laughing at the bombing, Box, etc, but laughing at the reaction (it being on the news, and all of the twitter responses). The entire point is to say things very awful or disturbing, and then laugh at everyone's reaction. It's not the bombing or Box they find funny. What makes it funny to them is how some people don't realize they are being trolled, and get angry and emotional.

I'm not condoning it by any means, I just thought I would point out what internet trolling is. At the end, they are still getting laughs at others expense, just not exactly in the way the victims (those that got angry) think. And by the way, I will agree with them that it is pretty sad (sad instead of funny for me, since I'm an Oklahoman), that something like this would make the news. Do people in 2011 not realize how much these kinds of things get posted on the internet? This is news worthy? One random troll on the internet?

And lets stop with the whole "FSU fans...", etc. I feel stupid for even having to say this, but one person obviously doesn't represent a huge group of people. It doesn't remotely make sense from any logical/mathematical point of view.

Or just how 'bout all of those dooshes DIAF? Mmkay?

[Texas Golfer]

Miami is the absolute worst.

[NoleMan]

Nothing you can say about crap like that. Don't let it taint your attitude about all of us however. I think those that visit will generally have a great time. Ever school has some yahoos, and we have ours. Sad to say though, Midwestern people are generally just plain nicer.

[pappy]

This is horrible...fuel to the fire...guaranteed the entire team knows about this by now. I'm sure stoops knows about it too. I hope we come out and run the score up on the noles. This seems like a great week to break the record for points in a game and let some dip sh*t writer complain about it.

[sooneron]

I think they should throw a uni on lil Michael Gagliardi and hand him the ball for a series. Maybe run him towards Ronnell a couple of plays....

[Lott's Bandana]

Or TJeff.

Or Whit Box.

[sooneron]

Let's not make it worse, shall we?

[C&CDean]

No, let's not. The FSU fans that I've met and that came to our tailgate are class people. What this is is some student/s with a tiny brain - kinda like some of our twittering students. I'm gonna kill this thread because it needs to die.