ESPN and Twitter: The Truth about Being Yourself

If you're looking for a personal touch to your favorite ESPN personality, don't bother with their Twitter account.

ESPN, the world-wide leader in sports, as well as the double standard, has officially published their Twitter rules, known as The Twelve Tweet Commandments.

As an informed individual, who prides himself on the whole truth, here is the list:

1. Personal Web sites and blogs that contain sports content are not permitted.

2. Prior to engaging in any form of social networking dealing with sports, you must receive permission from the supervisor as appointed by your department head.

3. ESPN.com may choose to post sports related social media content.

4. If ESPN.com opts not to post sports related social media content created by ESPN talent, you are not permitted to report, speculate, discuss or give any opinions on sports related topics or personalities on your personal platforms.

5. The first and only priority is to serve ESPN sanctioned efforts, including sports news, information, and content.

6. Assume at all times you are representing ESPN.

7. If you wouldn’t say it on the air or write it in your column, don’t tweet it.

8. Exercise discretion, thoughtfulness and respect for your colleagues, business associates and our fans.

9. Avoid discussing internal policies or detailing how a story or feature was reported, written, edited or produced and discussing stories or features in progress, those that haven’t been posted or produced, interviews you’ve conducted, or any future coverage plans.

10. Steer clear of engaging in dialogue that defends your work against those who challenge it and do not engage in media criticism or disparage colleagues or competitors.

11. Be mindful that all posted content is subject to review in accordance with ESPN’s employee policies and editorial guidelines.

12. Confidential or proprietary company information or similar information of third parties who have shared such information with ESPN, should not be shared.

With all of these rules in play, ESPN will simply turn Tweets into nothing more than a link to an ESPN related article, podcast, video clip, etc. The problem is that Twitter is not a search engine.

Twitter is designed for the individual user to express themselves.

Look at Shaquille O'Neal, does his personal opinions change the Cleveland Cavalier basketball team? Antonio Cromartie was recently fined $2,500 for questioning the food during training camp!

Why? When has being a professional in any field, given others the right to treat you as a puppet. I believe that you should be a professional, but to question the food is not an unprofessional action.

No, I don't want Mike Golic to talk about his sexual conquests in the bedroom, that is better reserved for a Howard Stern show. I don't want to pretend, however, that the sports personalities we have on television, in fact, have no personality at all.

I am personally not a Twitter user, because 140 characters is not enough. I do understand the draw, the ability to get an in-depth look at any athlete, star, or personality.

The world is fascinated with celebrities, and this gives you a personal look into their lives.

Twitter is also a safety net for celebrities. I honestly believe that the Paparazzi, TMZ, etc. are losing the battle with celebrity interaction. A Twitter post from a star can now tell more than simply recording them eating lunch outside of Los Angeles.

Twitter allows for the person we see on television to truly be themselves away from the camera. I do not support Scott Van Pelt to use gang Language, but I do support him to write "Go Terps" if the Terrapins are playing.

A person should not be forced to carry their occupation with them 24 hours a day, they too should be allowed to live and express themselves in a decent manner.

I am not asking for Tweets regarding mature subject matter, I am asking for Tweets regarding life in general. Personalities do have a life beyond the camera or microphone; Twitter users should be allowed to read what these people tweet.

Not what ESPN chooses to publish!