10 People in Sports You Do Not Want to Go to Battle Against on Twitter
Social media, Twitter in particular, has brought athletes and members of the sports media closer together with fans than God probably ever intended.
While there are plenty of good-natured sports fans out there who only use social media connections for good, there’s a vocal minority who use them to say the sort of needlessly mean things most normal people stopped saying in junior high or high school—maybe college for some slow developers.
Twitter also provides a direct line between athletes and members of the sports media, which had to be established through other means less than a decade ago. It also links athletes with every other athlete and the rest of the world at large.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
While the vast majority of hate-tweets go unanswered by those in sports who know better than to fight a losing battle, there are more than a few folks who have proved themselves willing to engage. Some aren’t especially effective in fighting back, but there are at least 10 people you most certainly should avoid going to war against.
Johnny Manziel, Cleveland Browns
If Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel responded to every one of his hater types on Twitter, he probably wouldn’t even have time for a job. But just because he’s not responding to trolls doesn’t mean he can’t. In July 2013, Twitter user @RatzinmyPantz tweeted the following to Manziel (NSFW language), who was still playing college ball at Texas A&M: "@JManziel2 you had a lucky year and aren't going to do s--t next year #teamf--kmanziel"
Manziel soon shot back, masterfully:
"@RatzinmyPantz you're that mad bro? pic.twitter.com/m4ubtqYo9h
— Johnny Manziel (@JManziel2) July 28, 2013"
Digitally beaming that classic Johnny Football confidence, his reply was equal parts dismissive and mean. In short, the perfect troll-silencing retort.
CM Punk, Retired WWE Superstar
Former WWE wrestler CM Punk has been known to go back and forth with trolling fans on Twitter, but in one such encounter, he saved his best stuff for a couple of guys most people would agree deserved a beatdown—on Twitter or otherwise. In February 2012, Punk took aim at singer Chris Brown, he of felony assault fame.
"I would like @chrisbrown fight somebody that can defend themselves. Me curb stomping that turd would be a #wrestlemania moment.
— Coach (@CMPunk) February 20, 2012"
Brown went momentarily nuts, firing off a number of tweets that were quickly deleted. Punk responded by posting a video in which he said, “So Chris wants to throw stones my way now, and I say that's fine, but put some gloves on and get in the ring. I will choke you out and I will make you feel as weak and powerless and scared and alone as any woman who's had the misfortune of knowing a sad, cowardly little boy such as yourself."
Brown again posted a series of tweets, some more coherent than others, before once again deleting them. Among the deleted tweets, per Joyce Chen of the New York Daily News: “@CMPunk needs more followers. He’s such a leader! Not to mention the roods hes on has made it utterly impossible for him to pleasure a women.”
A month later, Punk found himself the Twitter target of former NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman, who was apparently coming (very late) to the defense of his friend Chris Brown. Merriman, who also got into it with Punk in 2011, had all kinds NSFW things to say about Punk, who dismissed the beef hilariously in an interview on the Toucher and Rich radio show and didn’t even bother engaging on Twitter (via Wrestle Zone):
"The Merriman thing isn’t even anything. That dates back a couple of years now. We were in Costa Rica, there was a bunch of us lounging around a pool. I think it was me and Ted DiBiase, we were watching this goof run back and forth. He would literally go into the little poolside gym, do some bicep curls and then walk around us, hoping that some of the Divas would notice. A couple of the girls got up to leave to go get ready for the show and some big fat white guy came out of nowhere and I saw him handing out business cards to the girls.
"
Even though all of Brown’s and Merriman’s original tweets have since been deleted, it’s quite clear that CM Punk doesn’t just start fights on Twitter—he finishes them, too.
Antonio Cromartie, Arizona Cardinals
Back during the beginning days of what would become the 2011 NFL lockout, cornerback Antonio Cromartie, then with the New York Jets, expressed his desire to avoid a work stoppage and criticized the collective bargaining agreement process. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, then with the Seattle Seahawks, responded to Cromartie’s comments on Twitter.
"Just found out, @OfficialBraylon. Hasselbeck tweeted "Somebody ask Cromartie if he knows what CBA stands for,” then deleted it.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 27, 2011"
Hasselbeck deleted the original tweet, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter verified the content and tweeted it out to the world. Considering he basically called Cromartie an idiot, it’s not surprising he quickly backed off the whole thing. Although, he didn’t act quickly enough to avoid a response.
"RT @A_Cromartie31: @Hasselbeck hey Matt if u have something to then say it be a man about it. Don't erase it. I will smash ur face in.
— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) January 27, 2011"
Cromartie obviously deleted his mildly threatening tweet, too, but ESPN’s Jason Whitlock preserved the content for us. Hasselbeck then apologized in (yet another deleted) tweet: “Sorry for the joke man. No hard feelings. DB’s & QB’s have a hard time getting along I guess sometimes. lol”
Awkward.
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
Thunder superstar Kevin Durant is one of the NBA’s nicest nice guys. Though he may be more prone to fouling these days, the tearful MVP speech he dedicated to his mother in May is proof he’s still a sweetie at heart. That being said, KD has been known to bite back on Twitter.
In July, a fan needlessly made fun of his hair during a Twitter Q&A and Durant responded in kind. Unfortunately, the troll deleted his account, so the tweets no longer exist. But according to Black Sports Online, who nabbed screen captures, the exchange was as follows:
"@VH1PNUT: IS YOUR BARBER BLIND?
@KDTrey5: does your barber need binoculars to shape up that skinny ass chin strap goatee
@VH1PNUT: KD JUST KILLED ME IM OUTTA HERE LOL
@VH1PNUT: @KDTrey5 I QUIT YOU THE REAL MVP
@VH1PNUT: IM BOUT TO GO PLAY 2K AN INJURY THIS N— ON PURPOSE
"
In December 2011, Durant, bothered by the loud and inane ramblings of Stephen A. Smith, took to Twitter to comment. When Smith got word, he challenged Durant to debate him on ESPN's First Take rather than hiding out online.
The original tweets were deleted, but a retweet of Durant’s response to Smith’s challenge still remains.
"Ohhhhh, He said you ain't got no nipples! RT @KDTrey5: @stephenasmith ok tough guy
— Kazeem Famuyide (@RealLifeKaz) December 1, 2011"
Since then, Durant has gone back and forth on Twitter plenty of times—and not just with trolls and talking heads. In July 2013, he got into it with Drake over the outcome of a rap battle. In September 2013, he threw shade at Heat star Dwyane Wade with an obvious subtweet.
And this past July, Durant and John Flowers, who played with former Laker Devin Ebanks at West Virginia, traded barbs about a good game Ebanks had against Durant back in 2012.
"That's on the file @KDTrey5 RT @_Iwishyouwould: I remember Ebanks locking KD up and holding him to 5 of 19 shooting.
— john flowers (@jflow41) July 20, 2014"
"@J24MU @jflow41 @_Iwishyouwould just check the files man.
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) July 20, 2014"
"@KDTrey5 lol I ain't tell nobody to search I don't eem kno them lol they checked da files
— john flowers (@jflow41) July 20, 2014"
"@hotrodbaby30 @DeVonteYoung10 When u pray somebody miss doesn't count as good defense if they miss
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) July 20, 2014"
"@jflow41 @DeVonteYoung10 what is lockin to u bro? Like explain.
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) July 20, 2014"
Mercifully, it basically ended after that.
Paul Bissonnette, NHL Free Agent
Free agent forward Paul “Biznasty” Bissonnette is one of the most consistently entertaining athletes on Twitter, thanks in no small part to his penchant for not playing particularly well with people who don’t deserve it. If you say something terrible to him, he’ll probably return the favor.
That’s exactly what happened to Matt Hogue, a Pittsburgh native with a colorful criminal past, in August 2013. According to Bissonnette, Hogue had been trolling him daily for a while. And nothing clever or amusing—just unprovoked insults.
"Is that why u troll me everyday @MattHoagie? Would u call me scum 2 my face? No. U'd b sending that Tip Top Tailor suit 2 the dry cleaners.
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) August 15, 2013"
It didn’t take long for “Hoagie” to delete the offending tweets and make his account private, but according to Paola Boivin of USA Today, the tweets were uninventive: “Is that nose as big in person? I bet you could fill up a sewer with that nose scum of yours” and “Dude is old dog dirt on my shoe” were among his best.
Bissonnette then did his best—and it was substantially better.
"http://t.co/x1DNO03BnP not done.
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) August 15, 2013"
"— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) August 15, 2013 "
Whether Bissonnette uncovered it himself or was alerted by a follower, his reply tweets became a national story. As it turned out, Hogue had not only recently been fired from his job as an aide to a Pittsburgh city councilman for theft, but he also tried to frame his neighbor for the crime.
And Hogue actually got off easy, because a quick Google search of his name brings up even more unsavory behavior—like selling a parking lot that he didn’t own to a local church.
That has to be Biznasty’s best beef, but he’s given trolls plenty of examples of why he is not a man to be trifled with online. And he’s not afraid to get personal.
"Says the guy posting naked pictures of his kids on the internet @NYRangerMan. Man, you are a LOSER. Get a clue.
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) November 13, 2013"
That one got pretty ugly, pretty fast, which is why the troll, who initially called Bissonnette a “tool,” didn’t waste time in deleting his account. You can read the story behind the above tweet at Next Impulse Sports.
Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks
As the biggest trash-talker in the NFL today, Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman often takes to Twitter to rile up his opponents and engage with trolls. DeAngelo Hall, Darrelle Revis and Patrick Peterson are among players he’s beefed with online.
"@rpchudgar @revis24 he didn't play this year so when he does then he will be in it
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) February 20, 2013"
"I never seen a man before run his mouth so much like girl. This dude just steady putting my name in his mouth to get notoriety @rsherman_25
— Darrelle Revis (@Revis24) February 20, 2013"
"@Revis24 don't need ya name... Ur name will be irrelevant once u step back on the field bruh. Get ya picks up!
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) February 20, 2013"
"@Revis24 one season u will get 8 picks.... But it won't happen anytime soon... I did it in my 2nd season... So u have something to chase
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) February 20, 2013"
Commenting on the extension that made him the highest-paid cornerback in the league in July, which was a continuation of a feud that began months earlier, the Cardinals' Patrick Peterson and Sherman shared the following exchange:
"Yu mad bro!!!! LMAO😂😂😂😂😭
— Patrick Peterson (@RealPeterson21) July 30, 2014"
"Can't ever be too mad lmao... pic.twitter.com/ZHA28B9Tji
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) July 30, 2014"
In February, Sherman used some version of the same epic response to someone trolling him on Twitter.
"@SnBEternally pic.twitter.com/L2jNs7ocMX
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) February 5, 2014"
Sure, he repeated it later, but never mess with perfection.
J.R. Smith, New York Knicks
Knicks shooting guard J.R. Smith doesn’t like being messed with by trolls and will not hesitate to get right down on their level in responding. This exchange from February 2013 is a perfect example of why you might want to think twice before calling Smith out, even in the mildest of manners:
"Things ugly people say! RT @PrettyazzVixen: @TheRealJRSmith don't reply back to nothing he to good for his fans
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) February 9, 2013"
"LMFAO she got 39 followers talking bout all then dudes wit blue checks be in her dm! LMFAO stop it please you sound so stupid!
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) February 9, 2013"
"Lmao "I had more followers on my old account!" LMFAO lies people tell on twitter
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) February 9, 2013"
"Lmao I'm ugly but you was just trying to get at me before I roasted you! LMFAO!
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) February 9, 2013"
"Lol she ugly as ish! RT @mimi_lebron: @PrettyazzVixen girl you must be mad @TheRealJRSmith didn't wanna go to the jungle w/ you
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) February 9, 2013"
"Nope u not getting no followers off me mug monster!
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) February 9, 2013"
In January 2014, a similar exchange:
"@TheRealJRSmith u should get off twitter and go Practice on ur jump shots 🏀
— ❤Crystal❤ (@msbeauty14) January 6, 2014"
"U look like a man! RT @msbeauty14: @TheRealJRSmith u should get off twitter and go Practice on ur jump shots 🏀
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) January 6, 2014"
And it’s not just fans Smith has been known to lay into. In November 2013, he tweeted a response to the Pistons’ Brandon Jennings, who questioned via Twitter why Smith’s brother was on an NBA roster. Jennings deleted the tweet, but Smith still had something to say about it.
"No respect for these lil kids who pop at the mouth on twitter an then want to delete they tweets! #GrowUp! #ManUp! @TheOnlyCSmith0 #Facts!
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) November 14, 2013"
Deeming Smith’s tweet threatening, the NBA launched an investigation into the feud. Smith said no threat was even intended and that the whole thing was blown out of proportion.
Chris Kluwe, NFL Free Agent
Former NFL punter Chris Kluwe has definitely got a way with words. A lighting rod for controversy, chances are you either love him or hate him, but there’s no denying he’s got a special ability to say things in a way that make them most at home under the skin of the intended target.
In December 2010, his target was Sports Illustrated’s Peter King:
"@SI_PeterKing Tell me, do you frequently call for pitchers to 'just throw strikes all the time', or qb's to 'just throw a touchdown'?
— Chris Kluwe (@ChrisWarcraft) December 23, 2010"
"RT @ChrisWarcraft: Do you call for pitchers to 'just throw strikes all the time.' ... Don't make act of directional punting rocket science.
— Peter King (@SI_PeterKing) December 23, 2010"
"@SI_PeterKing Just as I thought. No idea on how to actually do it. Just a blanket statement of 'Aim the Madden arrow and hit the button'.
— Chris Kluwe (@ChrisWarcraft) December 23, 2010"
In January 2012, it was ESPN’s Skip Bayless:
"@RealSkipBayless I know what we should ban! Uninformed opinions from shit-spewing e-thugs who tear people down to try to generate ratings!
— Chris Kluwe (@ChrisWarcraft) January 22, 2012"
"I'm confused @RealSkipBayless. After Super Bowl XXXVI, you wrote that Vinatieri should be in the HoF. But now kickers are non-players?
— Chris Kluwe (@ChrisWarcraft) January 23, 2012"
"How is Adam going to make it to the Hall of Fame if you abolish his position @RealSkipBayless?! YOUR WORDS MAKE MY BRAIN ASPLODE #factssuck
— Chris Kluwe (@ChrisWarcraft) January 23, 2012"
In November 2011, Kluwe, then with the Minnesota Vikings, used some NSFW language to call out wide receiver Kerry Meier, then with the Atlanta Falcons, for cheap shots: "Just watched the film and Cullen was ten yards behind the play; there was no call to do something like that. F-----g douchepickle."
In October 2012, Kluwe called out a troll on Twitter and even offered to have a thoughtful conversation with him—an offer that he was not taken up on.
"No, @AndyParrishMN, no evasions, no appealing to the sports team. You wanted to talk. Let's talk. I'm waiting.
— Chris Kluwe (@ChrisWarcraft) October 24, 2012"
Honestly, though, Kluwe’s entire Twitter account is a daily testament as to why you should probably take your trolling elsewhere. So do yourself a favor and just move it along.
Michelle Beadle, ESPN
ESPN’s Michelle Beadle, co-host of SportsNation, is one of the most outspoken women in sports media. She may be one of the most outspoken people in sports media, period.
When fellow ESPN talking head Stephen A. Smith got himself into hot water in July with some seriously ill-advised commentary on the Ray Rice situation, Beadle live tweeted her disgust while watching First Take. And she didn’t hold back.
"So I was just forced to watch this morning's First Take. A) I'll never feel clean again B) I'm now aware that I can provoke my own beating.
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014"
"I'm thinking about wearing a miniskirt this weekend...I'd hate to think what I'd be asking for by doing so @stephenasmith. #dontprovoke
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014"
"I was in an abusive relationship once. I'm aware that men & women can both be the abuser. To spread a message that we not 'provoke' is wrong
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014"
"Violence isn't the victim's issue. It's the abuser's. To insinuate otherwise is irresponsible and disgusting. Walk. Away.
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) July 25, 2014"
Naturally, Smith responded with his own series of tweets, because silence is his Kryptonite, but he probably should’ve just let it go. His attempts to clarify his comments on Twitter didn’t help his case, and he was ultimately suspended.
Outside of insider commentary, Beadle is very active on Twitter, often responding to the tweets (and taunts) of trolls. In September 2013, she shot back after Mike Missanelli, a Philadelphia sports radio personality who recently mocked the gruesome injury suffered by the Giants’ Victor Cruz, after he inexplicably called her fat.
"Work harder, bro. and yeah, had to google you. RT @MikeMiss975: Is it out of line to point out the lbs 'round michelle beadle's middle?
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) September 6, 2013"
"@MichelleDBeadle Michelle, my earlier comments were out of line. Didnt mean to offend. I apologize. You have a lot of loyal fans out there.
— Mike Missanelli (@MikeMiss975) September 6, 2013"
"Treadmill time! I'd hate to anger the radio eunuchs with any weight gain...#mwahahahahhahahhahahahahahahahahaha
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) September 6, 2013"
As is almost always the case, Beadle had the last laugh.
Darnell Docket, Arizona Cardinals
Cardinals defensive end Darnell Dockett is one of the most fantastically antagonistic and combative athletes on Twitter. The great thing about Dockett, though, as opposed to pretty much everyone else in sports, is that (except on the rarest of occasions) he stands behind what he says and doesn’t go back and delete tweets the moment people start paying attention.
Dockett’s hilarious beef with Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron, which dates back to the QB's college playing days at Alabama, is a prime example.
"Aye sissy boy @10AJMcCarron lets go boxing. Great way to stay in shape , you down?
— DARNELL DOCKETT (@ddockett) February 5, 2013"
"@ddockett 😂😂yeah after u box @ochocinco oh & after u have as many rings as me. #3xchamp Ur a couple of years ahead of me & I'm still winning
— AJ McCarron (@10AJMcCarron) February 5, 2013"
"@10AJMcCarron I have a national championship ring. And lets not get into who got what cuz that's a no win for you. Lets box sissy 🏥🏃
— DARNELL DOCKETT (@ddockett) February 5, 2013"
McCarron engaged far more than he should’ve, which only served to make him look more ridiculous with each passing response. Same goes for his feud with former Florida State quarterback Chris Rix, who really should've steered clear.
Although it wasn’t exactly a war, Dockett recently had words for Cowboys running back Joseph Randle after his arrest for shoplifting underwear and cologne.
"So who was the player stealing drawers /underwear from the cowboys
— DARNELL DOCKETT (@ddockett) October 15, 2014"
"What's his twitter ?
— DARNELL DOCKETT (@ddockett) October 15, 2014"
"@JRAN_1 damn bro..Next time go to ROSS or Burlington they have no security or cameras in there. Polo drawers and cologne. Just looking out!
— DARNELL DOCKETT (@ddockett) October 15, 2014"
Dockett is, quite simply, a guy not to be messed with. So don't.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
