Three pretty prominent NFL players made some controversial tweets about the George Zimmerman trial and then went on to delete those tweets afterwards. Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White has been known for his controversial tweets, and Saturday night was no exception as he suggested the jurors kill themselves.
Someone obviously told Roddy to clean up his Twitter feed because this morning he issued an apology.
I understand my tweet last nite was extreme. I never meant for the people to do that. I was shocked and upset about the verdict. I am sorry.
— Roddy White (@roddywhiteTV) July 14, 2013
New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz also chimed in with a tweet he quickly deleted as well.
My tweet last night was my initial interpretation of the reaction I was reading on twitter.I immediately realized my tweet was a mistake and
— Victor Cruz (@TeamVic) July 14, 2013
I apologize, that's why I deleted it. I believe conversation not confrontation leads to change and progress. I never have and never will
— Victor Cruz (@TeamVic) July 14, 2013
advocate violence under any circumstances and I pray that we all encourage and educate each other. The death of Trayvon Martin is an
— Victor Cruz (@TeamVic) July 14, 2013
unthinkable tragedy that is any parent's worst nightmare. As a father, I want my daughter to grow up in a country that uses this tragedy to
— Victor Cruz (@TeamVic) July 14, 2013
heal and grow and progress. My prayers continue to go out to Trayvon Martin's family.
— Victor Cruz (@TeamVic) July 14, 2013
Arizona Cardinals rookie DB Tyrann Mathieu then also tweeted about the incident saying the verdict makes you wonder about Aaron Hernandez and then deleted it.
All of these athletes seem to regret what they said and this is exactly why you need to think before you tweet. When you are in such a prominent public position, you can’t tweet when you are emotionally charged up about something as controversial as the George Zimmerman verdict. If you think you might end up deleting the tweet at some point, you should not send it out.
Don’t get the wrong idea, not all athletes use Twitter to post their angry and controversial tweets. New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma had one of the best tweets of the night.