Ochocinco Twittering During Games: Ochoseis It Por Favor

Today, the NFL-says-no-to-Ochocinco">NFL ruled against OchoCinco, for which I’m grateful for. 

For someone who manages the twitter accounts of a number of athletes on FanFuego.com, I love the fact that my athletes use twitter to connect with their fans, but I am in agreement with those athletes who want to keep twitter out of game play. Have them twitter all they want before and after, when they can focus on the twitter, enjoy the banter and stay engaged.

Other athletes have already indicated that they wouldn’t be “twittering” during game play including LPGA's Paula Creamer who said “I will not be twittering in my round. It should not happen in any sport.” 

In addition, we’ve seen the impact it has with perceived game play when Charlie Villanueva of the Milwaukee Bucks twittered “In da locker room, snuck to post my twitt. We're playing the Celtics, tie ball game at da half. Coach wants more toughness. I gotta step up” during halftime of their match up with the Celtics.  Bucks coach Scott Skiles quickly reprimanded Villanueva by stating, “…anything that gives the impression that we're not serious and focused at all times is not the correct way we want to go about our business."  Well said coach.

I believe by allowing athletes to start twittering during gameplay, in a way that impedes their ability to perform at an optimal level, creates a slippery slope that may result in the following repercussions:

•      Reduction in playing efficiency.  The athletes that I work with on FanFuego.com, always stress they need to focus on the field to perform their best.  If a player/players focus is attempting to think of the next “160” characters to tweet about to their fans, I believe their ability to be effective on the field takes a hit.  Inevitably, an athlete is going to “squitter” (combination of a squib – bad kick and twittering)  resulting in a Bill Buckner event that fans, teammates, coaches, league, and media will point to Twitter being a major factor.   Personally, I wouldn’t want one of my athletes to go down in history like that.
•      Unwarranted fan expectation of athlete engagement.  If Chad has his way and more and more athletes follow suit, fans will consider this an assumed expectation of all athletes, which I don’t think is fair.  Now, other athletes in other sports will want to do the same and instead of enjoying the game for what’s it worth, athletes will be denigrated to “mini” experiences and opportunities to one-up each other Instead of watching for what is going on the field, they are cuddled up with their cell-phones instead of a playbook.

Keep in mind, I do think technology has had a positive role in sports—instant replay, the virtual first down marker/line judges, dunk cams, and even miked coaches.  While all of those have improved the experience of the game, it hasn’t interfered with it (although miked coaches tend to be more selective with their words). 

However, twitter is this incredible and popular technology that has already shown the ability to allow athletes and fans the ability to connect in ways never seen before, but at the same time, have the ability to influence some game changing outcomes that may cost an athlete an incredible opportunity to shine.

And if that day ever comes, will 160 characters and a cellphone be worth it? 

I don’t think so.

Steve Raquel is an online social media expert who helps manage the online lives of dozen of professional athletes as the VP athlete relations of FanFuego.com, an online sports social network that connects pro athletes with passionate fans. Contact Steve directly at [e-mail] or follow him on twitter at @sraquel.