Let’s go ahead and admit it. If you aren’t guilty of actually sending it, you have at least typed out a scathing comeback, tell off narrative, review, etc. and deleted it deciding those words were better left unshared. This week’s article is dedicated to the Keyboard Warriors. I’m not going to sit here and say I have never been one myself…and I have definitely typed and deleted all the sassy responses on multiple occasions, but I think it’s time to identify the elephant in the room and see if we can’t take steps towards removing him.
Now, I’m not talking about reasonable exchanges here. Social media has absolutely created a place for all of us to share our highs and lows, our celebrations and grievances, referrals and warnings, and the like. But, I think we need to call a Time Out and stow away some of our crazy, especially when it comes to athletics.
If you want to bash on your favorite professional athlete, by all means go ahead. In most cases they make enough money and have little enough care that I’m sure their skin is thick enough to endure a little ribbing. I’m more focused on college athletes this week, especially after watching the Razorback Baseball Team end their season in the Regional Tournament at Baum Walker Stadium in Fayetteville last week.
I too was disappointed to see the season end the way it did. And I can guarantee that no one was more bereaved about it than the team and staff of the Razorback Baseball Team. To be honest, they had a fantastic season and should still be playing. But the fact is, last Sunday their opponent, SEMO, was the better team. Sometimes it just happens that way. If you have ever been a competitive athlete then you know that nobody wants to end their season on a loss. But, statistically speaking, everyone can’t go out with a win.
To the point, though. Before the last out was even recorded last weekend the mighty keyboard warriors were already hot on their social media of choice calling for a fruit basket turnover for Arkansas Baseball. Sheesh. Nevermind that Dave Van Horn is one of the winningest coaches in Arkansas history and that his team just won another SEC West Division Championship (that makes 9). Let’s definitely call for his head on a platter. And don’t even get me started on the attacks on individual athletes. Obviously this is not just a baseball problem. And it’s not just a Razorbacks problem. It’s a problem across the board.
It’s been my experience that these Keyboard Warriors do not discriminate based on sport, season, or athlete. Basically, they are completely indiscriminate across the board. But, I contend that we need to check ourselves when it comes to the color commentary and remember that, for the most part, these athletes that are being raked over the coals are basically just kids! I mean, think about it, most college athletic teams are full of young people between the ages of 18 and 21. Would you say the things you are typing on your social media rants to their face if you were in the same room? My money says no.
However, I will never forget when I was a college basketball athlete at UCA and we suffered a completely heartbreaking loss on a Friday night…I don’t even remember who we were playing, but it was a game we should have won. I ran to the grocery store the next day and a man I have never seen before in my life stopped me in the cereal aisle and told me “if we didn’t play better defense we weren’t going to win another game” followed by a couple of personal pointers on how I could give a better performance. Because of my position and standing in the community I let him rant and simply said “yes, sir…thank you…we will try to do better” and walked away. But my question is, what in the world gave him the right to feel like he could address and basically berate me in public? (Note that this was really before social media was a big thing, think 2003) And on that line of thinking, isn’t the Keyboard Warrior essentially doing the same thing? It’s just on a bigger platform instead of one on one and you can form a posse of people who storm the electronic gates with you. Anonymously.
At least my so-called fan was brave enough to address me one to one in the grocery store instead of attacking my career and abilities on the public platform of opinion. I guess that’s a positive from the crazy story.
Let’s face facts though friends. It’s tough being a college athlete, and even tougher now with all the doors that the NIL has opened up (don’t get me started on that one today). Balancing school and a grueling sports schedule is hard and the expectations are high. Athletes know going in that it is a business and you can either hit the mark or miss it, but either way there will be consequences. Isn’t that enough pressure without having to worry about the masses calling you everything but a decent human if you happen to have a bad outing?
So, I suppose today it is I who is acting as the keyboard bully and issuing a few technical fouls. If you are guilty of any of the above behaviors I would encourage you to have another look before you push the send button and maybe even feel a little shame if you have gone on the attack in the past. Let’s let the athletes stick to playing and the coaches stick to coaching while we, the spectators stick to…well…spectating!
Until next week…that’s how the ball bounces.
Read more from How the Ball Bounces with Bekka in the archives at www.mysaline.com/bounces.
About the author: Bekka Wilkerson is a lifelong lover of all things sports. Raised in a super athletic household it was no surprise when she too began to love sports at a young age. It seems like from the time she could walk she had a softball bat in her hands, but her true athletic passion came from all things Basketball. That love served her well as a Bryant High School Lady Hornet and ultimately earned her a full scholarship to play at the University of Central Arkansas – among many other adventures.
These days Bekka can be found running around Saline County with her husband, Speedy, or chasing one of her grandsons. She is also the Executive Director of The EMpact One Foundation, a Saline County Nonprofit Organization that helps young people stay connected to extracurricular activities through tuition assistance and equipment provisions.
Reach out to Bekka with questions and/or ideas about things you want to see in this column at [email protected] and learn more about The EMpact One Foundation at www.empactone.org.