Social media is a fantastic way to stay connected to your favorite teams and get to know up and coming athletes. All gatekeepers are removed and there really isn’t anything between the fans and the athletes. People especially want to be able to say, “I knew him/her when” or “I’ve been a fan since…” Increase popularity has it’s benefits for the athletes as well. Charismatic players that fans respond to are worth more. Even if it isn’t in the money they get as part of their contact when they go pro, it will be in endorsements that companies like Nike, Under Armor and Gatorade provide. Celebrities often get more than $20,000 PER POST if they have enough of an influence. This is a powerful reason for college athletes to start building this following before they get drafted. There are dangers and challenges to consider, however, and athletes need to be prepared.
Words have power and tweeting especially can get you into trouble. With people getting social media accounts at younger and younger ages, it is very likely that current athletes and the college athletes of tomorrow will have had accounts for years before heading into college. The challenge is that: anything EVER said on social media, can and will be used against you. Saying something offhanded after a tough loss when you’re 15 years old could actually ruin your career. It’s kind of crazy to think about, but it’s absolutely true. Then, when you get to college, everything you say is not only a reflection of you, but the program you’re involved in and the college you attend. A racial slur, sexual statement or even a comment about other team’s fans can get you in quite a bit of trouble.
Words have power and tweeting especially can get you into trouble. With people getting social media accounts at younger and younger ages, it is very likely that current athletes and the college athletes of tomorrow will have had accounts for years before heading into college. The challenge is that: anything EVER said on social media, can and will be used against you. Saying something offhanded after a tough loss when you’re 15 years old could actually ruin your career. It’s kind of crazy to think about, but it’s absolutely true. Then, when you get to college, everything you say is not only a reflection of you, but the program you’re involved in and the college you attend. A racial slur, sexual statement or even a comment about other team’s fans can get you in quite a bit of trouble.
| With this in mind man colleges have started instituting social media bans during the season. Colleges like Clemson, Florida State, Purdue, Iowa and Louisville have all instituted such bans. They cite things like the fact that they are protecting their players as they implement them, but you have to wonder, what they’re actually teaching them? |  |
A FORCED ban may not be the best idea. It can easily be seen as just another way that coaches control their players instead of a way to be supportive of them. Another problem that is starting to be discussed as more schools implement such bans, is that they are unconstitutional. That’s right, they are a violation of these young individual’s First Amendment Rights.
Businesses have the ability to control some of what their employees say on social media because they are representatives of their company. The catch with student athletes is that colleges are going above and beyond to maintain that student athletes are NOT employees. There has long been a debate about the limitations of these student’s abilities to make money. Other students on scholarship have the opportunity to work, student athletes do not. The school makes hundreds of thousands of dollars off of them, their pictures, their jersey sales, required appearances etc, but the students are not entitled to any of that money. So, limiting their First Amendment Rights may backfire in the near future.
45% of college athletes say that they have had NO social media training!
3% say that they have posted DURING one of their games!
37% say they have posted something that they regret!
Businesses have the ability to control some of what their employees say on social media because they are representatives of their company. The catch with student athletes is that colleges are going above and beyond to maintain that student athletes are NOT employees. There has long been a debate about the limitations of these student’s abilities to make money. Other students on scholarship have the opportunity to work, student athletes do not. The school makes hundreds of thousands of dollars off of them, their pictures, their jersey sales, required appearances etc, but the students are not entitled to any of that money. So, limiting their First Amendment Rights may backfire in the near future.
45% of college athletes say that they have had NO social media training!
3% say that they have posted DURING one of their games!
37% say they have posted something that they regret!
So, what can be done instead? Well, Cal Quarterback Jared Goff imposes a social media ban on himself. He has been known to post that he’ll see everyone when the season is over, and then limit any posts to those he is sharing or re-tweeting by UC Berkeley itself. Another option is to educate these young athletes on the power they hold in their hands. Social media has become so common, so much a part of every day life, that many people don’t even consider that there could be consequences for the things they say. Essentially, student athletes are undergoing a four year job interview, where everything they do on the field of play as well as everything they say has it’s consequences. Instead of risking that in a moment of anger, drunken stupidity or just plain brain freeze a promising young people is going to through their future away, not to mention all the money spent on them by the college, why not take the time to teach them a powerful life lesson.
This scrutiny isn’t going to go away when they turn pro. In fact, they’ll have a bigger audience and it could have even greater consequences. There is no way to stop EVERY post that can have consequences from happening, but we can slow it down if we take the time to educate our players. Teach them just what is on the line and what they have to lose. Let them know, this absolutely COULD and WILL happen to you if you do any of these things. J.J. Watt suggests that you read each post at least 95 times before you actually post something. Make sure it is something you want out there, forever. If it is something offensive in ANY WAY you can be sure that someone saw it and took a screen shot of it. Nothing goes away any more.
This scrutiny isn’t going to go away when they turn pro. In fact, they’ll have a bigger audience and it could have even greater consequences. There is no way to stop EVERY post that can have consequences from happening, but we can slow it down if we take the time to educate our players. Teach them just what is on the line and what they have to lose. Let them know, this absolutely COULD and WILL happen to you if you do any of these things. J.J. Watt suggests that you read each post at least 95 times before you actually post something. Make sure it is something you want out there, forever. If it is something offensive in ANY WAY you can be sure that someone saw it and took a screen shot of it. Nothing goes away any more.
| It’s still new that everything you say from the time you have your first social media account through the rest of your life will be available and held against you. Politicians have been fired because of something they tweeted nearly 10 years ago. Athletes will face the same scrutiny. As I mentioned before it will affect any endorsements that may ever be offered. Trouble makers are less likely to be drafted first or second round. |  |
The Browns took a chance on Johnny Football Manziel, with a reputation as a party boy and they have paid for it ever since. The Patriots went against their usual squeaky clean requirement for their players with Aaron Hernandez and he went as bad as you could go. Mouthy players dangerous to a program, whether college or pro and if you develop a reputation, it will hurt you. Consider everything before you post it and if you’re not sure, just don’t do it.
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