I’ve said that no one wants to hear from athletes. Please stop putting microphones in their faces. Take away their twitter and whatever platform. The kerfuffle between Kevin Durant and Jay Williams is a perfect example. I remember when the Bulls drafted Jay Williams. I was excited when the Bulls drafted him in the 2002 draft believing he was the most prepared for the NBA than any other player in the draft. After his horrific accident on a motorcycle while feeling bad for him I had a level of disdain because the following year the Bulls drafted Kirk Hinrich. Not one of my favorite players. Especially when Williams was far more talented.

I’m not clear on what J. Williams said that set KD off but his expletive laced response was disgusting. In the beginning when athletes were forced to face the media it was the like watching paint dry especially when players started letting their kids take over the microphone and the players didn’t have anything interesting to say. The media would ask the stupidest questions or the interviews would always include the line leaving it all on the field/court. Doing my best to help my teammates be the best they can be. Yada yada yada. With social media the content became far more interesting but made me question their use of the English language which can be attested to jargon of their childhood. What I have a problem with is, and LeBron James has been guilty of this, the use of foul Language. Many of the players of all sports have children and it can be said that children are the biggest fans. Just because they cannot afford the price of a ticket they’re the ones who follow the players closest and their stats. Certainly if there’s beef between payers or media they know. Particularly in a time of unrest and protest when people are hanging onto every word athletes are using and certainly they will believe that it is alright to use this language. Players cannot opt out of meeting the media but they can control what they say on social media and whether they want to respond to any criticism or trash talk. Even speak up for the ones who do not have their talent name or platform. Let’s think about what we say before say it. In these times your words can be taken out of context with racist responses giving people the right to do things like throw objects at players where banning them isn’t nearly enough of a punishment.  G©