8 Most Baffling Tweets of the 2011 NFL Offseason

With the NFL lockout in effect, some players had extra time to spend coming up with some pretty crazy things to say on Twitter.  Whether it was talking about the lockout or the death of Osama Bin Laden, we saw interesting tweets across the board.

Take a look at a few tweets from the NFL offseason, some of which left fans laughing and others scratching their heads. 

Rashard Mendenhall on the Death of Osama Bin Laden

Following the announcement of the death of Osama Bin Laden, Rashard Mendenhall, the Pittsburgh Steelers running back, tweeted a response that read:

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“What kind of person celebrates death? It’s amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We’ve only heard one side…”

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He then followed that tweet up with another one in response to someone which read:

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“I just have a hard time believing a plane could take a skyscraper down demolition style.”

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Mendenhall's controversial tweet quickly had his name trending on Twitter and buzzing all over the web.  Many people were outraged with Mendenhall's words, finding them slightly unpatriotic. 

Chad Ochocinco Predicts the Future

Wide receiver Chad Ochocinco is one of the most followed NFL players on Twitter as a frequent tweeter who talks about his life, football and everything in between.  We all know that one of the most talked-about moves in this year's free agency was Ochocinco leaving the Cincinnati Bengals and teaming up with coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.

However, even though this transaction just happened this month, it was back in January that Ochocinco first sent out a tweet foreshadowing the future:

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"PePe and Bill #EPIC."

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PePe is a nickname that Ochocinco has given himself and Bill was referring to New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick.  Following that tweet, in April, Ochocinco retweeted a response to a fan's tweet which read:

"Great minds think alike RT @jamescuff: @ochocinco I also hope that happens so that the Patriots trade a draft pick for you." 

It is well known that Ochocinco is itching for a Super Bowl championship with the prime of his career passing him by—and what better quarterback to join than New England's Tom Brady to try to fulfill that wish—but did Ocho just have wishful thinking or did he know this move was going to happen?

Vikings Punter Chris Kluwe Blasts Player Reps

Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe, who goes by @ChrisWarcraft on Twitter, was very unhappy when, in the midst of the NFL lockout, player plaintiffs from the CBA lawsuit asked for deals regarding their own personal interest as part of the settlement.  

This was a move that Kluwe thought was selfish and ultimately delayed the process of the lockout ending.  Not shy, Kluwe quickly hopped on Twitter and had this to say regarding his fellow players, including Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Logan Mankins and Vincent Jackson:

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"Sigh, and once again greed is the operative byword. Congrats Brees, Manning, Mankins, and Jackson for being ‘that guy’. #d*****bags.”

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Whether or not there were players who outwardly agreed with Kluwe, there were likely some who felt the same sentiments he did.

Reggie Bush Enjoying His NFL Lockout Vacay

With a Twitter following of 1.7 million, most of which are NFL and/or Saints fans, it is no surprise that outrage poured out when Reggie Bush jokingly sent out a tweet which implied that he was enjoying being locked out from the NFL.  Bush's tweet read:

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"Everybody complaining about the lockout! Shoot I'm making the most of it! Vacation, rest, relaxing, appearances here and there! I'm good!"

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And then just a minute later said:

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"Right about now we would be slaving in 100 degree heat, practicing twice a day, while putting our bodies at risk for nothing."

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With football fans itching for the lockout to end, and as a player who was scheduled to make almost $12 million this season, this tweet definitely did not go over well. Fans and followers slammed Bush, causing him to later tweet:

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“FYI last tweet was a joke! Relax people damn it's called sense of humor! Cry me a river why don't you…”

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Bush's name was also trending on Twitter another time, following a tweet in response to the New Orleans Saints' selection of running back Mark Ingram in the 2011 draft which read:

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"It's been fun New Orleans"

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This tweet by Bush was implying that with that draft pick, the Saints were telling him that his days with them were over.  As it turns out, Bush was correct because as soon as free agency began, Bush was traded to the Miami Dolphins.

Donte Stallworth Suggests the Government Take Some Notes from the NFL

When the NFL lockout came to an end with none of the 2011 football season sacrificed, it was not only a relief, but an impressive display of unity between NFL players and owners.  

When the affair began, the two parties stood on very opposite sides of the spectrum in disagreement.  Therefore, the camaraderie between owners and players was definitely notable when they emerged almost hand in hand to announce the end of the lockout following months of battles.

In fact, the cooperation between the two parties was so notable that Redskins wide receiver Donte Stallworth took to Twitter to suggest that the United States government take a page out of their book regarding coming together and cooperating to find a resolution to the debt ceiling:

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"Democrats and Republicans can learn something from the players and owners. Yes, we have our differences.#ButWeWorkedItOut#NowItsYourTurn."

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Chris Harris Jokes About Brett Favre's Return

With the NFL lockout ending and the beginning of the 2011 season in sight, Chicago Bears safety Chris Harris thought it was only appropriate that, in a trend that was consistent the past few seasons, people begin to discuss Brett Favre's possible return...again.

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"Well Football is back so let the Brett Favre rumors commence!!!!!!"

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Although Harris' comments seemed to be a lighthearted joke, they suddenly weren't so funny when, for the third year in a row, Favre return rumors formulated, speculating that he was going to play for the Miami Dolphins.

Matt Hasselbeck Questions Antonio Cromartie's Intelligence

Following a rant of frustration by Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie regarding the lockout and the CBA, Tennessee Titans quarterback sent out a tweet, which he quickly erased that said:

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"Somebody ask Cromartie if he knows what CBA stands for."

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Angered by the tweet insulting his intelligence, Cromartie did not shy away from Hasselbeck but took the opportunity to call him out and threaten him, responding with a tweet that read:  

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"Hey Matt if u have something to (say) then say it be a man about it. Don't erase it, I will smash ur face in."

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In which Hasselback responded light-heartedly: 

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"Sorry for the joke man, No hard feelings. DB's & QB's have a hard time getting along I guess sometimes. lol"

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Larry Fitzgerald Gets His Girlfriend Back

Although not baffling, NFL players' built-up excitement to return the field following the lockout resulted in many celebratory tweets, some of which were quite funny.

Larry Fitzgerald's post-lockout tweet which was retweeted and quoted many times all over the Internet read:

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"Hey Laaaa hey Laaaa my girlfriend's (Football) back"

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With the lockout officially over, these tweets marked the end of the 2011 NFL offseason tweeting, as the season finally began.