Vincent Frank
The old saying that you shouldn’t engage a troll on social media took on a new level Monday afternoon when Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III decided to respond to a fan on Instagram.
Here’s RGIII’s original post.
http://instagram.com/p/y4jp8cvedT/
Jamming to MJ on the way to get that work in this morning #BillyJean,” Griffin wrote. “What you working with this morning?
Seemingly uninterested in a person actually actually having a life, a Redskins fan responded.
This is why you will be cut after next year in Washington,” @cperezrn writes. “Why you weren’t even mentioned as the future. You are a ‘QB’. Act like one.
Quarterbacks aren’t allowed to listen to music or post their music choices on social media? This is a first.
RGIII’s response to this troll was pretty classic.
If giving back to the community and training for football at the same time is frowned upon…..then what would you say I do Sir? Not give back or Train? Honest Question
Oh wait…and should I not enjoy a classic song with others who Love MJ? I’m just asking for your wisdom here.
Not to be outdone, the troll continued his attack on Washington’s enigmatic quarterback.
It’s about the image @rgiii. Whether or not you are training trying to get better it’s all about how you present yourself. Your coach, owner doesn’t want to see you present yourself in this matter. Think about it for a minute. You grew up in a military family. I am also a military man. Ask your father, mother it’s how you present yourself.
At this point RGIII should have probably disengaged. But of course, he didn’t.
And I’m presenting myself in a negative way by doing…..what exactly?
You don’t ask a troll a question, Robert. Obviously, the Redskins fan had a response for this as well.
Never said you were presenting yourself in a “negative” way. Just seems that you care more about your social media, commercial’s and brand than football. That’s all bud. Good luck next year. @rgiii. Hope you prove your fans wrong.
RGIII then responded to fans who were coming to his defense on the social media site.
Appreciate Ya. Players put too much time into our profession to be told posting on social media 2 or 3 times a day is a sign that you don’t focus on your craft.
Before his laid into the troll once again.
I hear what you are saying, but for you to say those things to me is a sign that you don’t know what I am about and have been watching and listening to other people who have never even met me.
You can read the entire exchange on Robert Griffin III’s Instagram account. But a few things come to mind here.
1. To all professional athletes out there. These people are not worth your time. Remember, former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kyle Williams received death threats after his fumble in the 2011 NFC Championship game. These are the types of people you’re going to engage with if you open up the can of worms.
2. To all fans out there. Realize that athletes are not robots. They have lives. They enjoy food. They listen to music. They watch television.
3. Social media is a cool tool, but it’s gotten to the point where athletes are attacked for absolutely no reason. In this case, Robert Griffin III allowed himself to fall victim to a troll.
Let’s hope this isn’t a continuing theme for the Redskins signal caller.
Photo: Washington Post
