OT: Wouldn't want to be Kyle Williams

[187]

The death threats issue has pretty much everything to do with social media and being able to directly interact with players. That combined with the fact that it allows people to hide behind a keyboard and say whatever they want with basically no repercussions. It would have been no different 20-30 years ago if Twitter existed then, people get heated and caught up in the moment and say stupid things. But instead of just saying it to a friend or yourself, you can jump on twitter and go straight to the source.

Has nothing to do with a "soccer mentality" or SF's fanbase, that would happen with ANY team if the player had a day like Kyle did and was on twitter. I like the Cardinals on facebook and the level of stupidity found in the comment sections of any article/post they put up is pretty impressive.

 

[TJ]

Unfortunately, there is no minimum required IQ to use the internet, social media, message boards, etc.

The advent of Twitter has given some fans too much access to athletes, celebs, and other figureheads (consequently, athletes expose themselves to serious criticism when they sign up for an account). With how reactionary fans can be after a loss, it is a very dangerous outlet to go to to vent emotions. For example, one 9er fan tweeted that he hopes Williams, his wife, and children drop dead (user's account has since been deleted).

As much as I enjoyed seeing Williams fumble away the 49er's chance at a Superbowl berth (and an ASU victory against UofA in 2009), I would never wish death upon him. Totally classless.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Dropping the ball runs in the family. His dad is Ken Williams, the GM for the White Sox. He dropped the ball with his Adam Dunn/Alex Rios acquisitions.

 

[cardpa]

Just remember the root word of Twitter is "TWIT". I personally would never have a twitter account nor a Facebook account. I guess after reading some of the things people post on these accts. I just don't get it.

 

[football karma]

Just found out he is the son of Kenny Williams VP/GM of the White Sox.

local kid

went to Chaparral High here in Scottsdale and then on to ASU

and yes, he pretty much did the same thing against the U of A his senior season

after Williams made a highlight worthy TD catch to tie that game late, ASU defense hold after kicking off back to UA.

He was an excellent college punt returner, and ASU figured to get good field position to win the game with a FG.

Instead, he lets the ball go through his hands, U of A recovers and kicks a gimme FG to win.

 

[Phrazbit]

I dont think social norms have fallen apart. Death threats over stuff as dumb as this have been around for a long time. The only difference is social media makes the threats easier to make and also easier for the media to pick up and report on.

 

[BigRedRage]

Just remember the root word of Twitter is "TWIT". I personally would never have a twitter account nor a Facebook account. I guess after reading some of the things people post on these accts. I just don't get it.

twitter is awesome if you subscribe to news people only for news and article updates. dont post, nothing, simply wait for news to come through.

 

[CatBoxBackFan]

twitter is awesome if you subscribe to news people only for news and article updates. dont post, nothing, simply wait for news to come through.

 

[187]

twitter is awesome if you subscribe to news people only for news and article updates. dont post, nothing, simply wait for news to come through.

This. I mainly use Twitter to find all sorts of sports information in one feed; it's extremely useful during events like the draft and free agency. I will occasionally tweet things to athletes and close friends, but I've never made an effort to get my account name out to all of my other friends on facebook. I'd rather just get news on twitter and surf the FB feed if I want to see what people are up to.

I used to think Twitter was extremely dumb when I first heard about it a few years ago, but it's a pretty awesome service when you're following the right people.

 

[ajcardfan]

I thought Cundiff is a bigger goat than Williams. A 20 yard FG? Really? At least someone had to knock the ball away from Williams, Cundiff's choke was all mental.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I thought Cundiff is a bigger goat than Williams. A 20 yard FG? Really? At least someone had to knock the ball away from Williams, Cundiff's choke was all mental.

32 yard fg.

 

[football karma]

I thought Cundiff is a bigger goat than Williams. A 20 yard FG? Really? At least someone had to knock the ball away from Williams, Cundiff's choke was all mental.

I blame Harbaugh as complicit

that whole field goal unit never looked set -- they looked rushed and winging it.

the ball was snapped with the playclock ticking from 0:01 to 0:00. Yikes

call a timeout, get settled, make sure everyone knows whats up -- then tie the game.

 

[TJ]

I blame Harbaugh as complicit

that whole field goal unit never looked set -- they looked rushed and winging it.

the ball was snapped with the playclock ticking from 0:01 to 0:00. Yikes

call a timeout, get settled, make sure everyone knows whats up -- then tie the game.

Agree. At that point, it's not considered icing your own kicker, but rather, like you said, get them time to get set and give them an opportunity to gain composure.

 

[52brandon]

I blame Harbaugh as complicit

that whole field goal unit never looked set -- they looked rushed and winging it.

the ball was snapped with the playclock ticking from 0:01 to 0:00. Yikes

call a timeout, get settled, make sure everyone knows whats up -- then tie the game.

agreed. At least no Harbaugh bowl I guess

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I must say when I read the trending Kyle Williams tweets on Twitter last night I felt bad for feeling so good when it happened. Thats real life there and much bigger then football at end of day.

That poor guy is going to have one hell of an offseason.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

twitter is awesome if you subscribe to news people only for news and article updates. dont post, nothing, simply wait for news to come through.

This. I mainly use Twitter to find all sorts of sports information in one feed; it's extremely useful during events like the draft and free agency. I will occasionally tweet things to athletes and close friends, but I've never made an effort to get my account name out to all of my other friends on facebook. I'd rather just get news on twitter and surf the FB feed if I want to see what people are up to.

I used to think Twitter was extremely dumb when I first heard about it a few years ago, but it's a pretty awesome service when you're following the right people.

Couldnt agree more. Its my lifeline during games, standing in lines, and bathroom breaks.

PM or post your guys names so I can follow.

 

[wilycoyote24]

I am still bitter about his fumble against UofA...

Bitter? That was probably my most fondly remembered play that I have ever seen in person. I still love the fact that that game was in Tempe. ASU fans talked sooooooo much crap going in and where COMPLETELY silent going out.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Bitter? That was probably my most fondly remembered play that I have ever seen in person. I still love the fact that that game was in Tempe. ASU fans talked sooooooo much crap going in and where COMPLETELY silent going out.

were

BIM

 

[wilycoyote24]

were

BIM

Embarrassing! I'll be more careful next time. I don't want anyone convinced that I'm an ASU alum.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Embarrassing! I'll be more careful next time. I don't want anyone convinced that I'm an ASU alum.

You were BIM'd by an ASU alum. LOL

 

[O]

You were BIM'd by an ASU alum. LOL

 

[CatBoxBackFan]

This might shed some light on the issue.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/58018/giants-concussion-tactics-vs-kyle-williams

 

[Drop D]

It's way more than that Chris... much deeper rooted. Particularly since that influx you reference has all but dried up over the past 4 years or so due to the economy. Nobody is rushing into Cali when there's no jobs to be had.
The roots of this problem (that exist in all stadiums, but to a lesser extent for the most part), weave their way back for almost 2 decades now and reflect changes in Socio-economic conditions across the country (the world for that matter).
Historical social norms have been steadily eroded over this time. Family structures have been altered (perhaps permanently). Social behavior has been altered in a way where historical common decency and respect for people and property has been reduced to dangerous levels. Add in a brutal recession and a country that is as divided as it has ever been, and voila... a perfect storm...

Hate to be nit-picky, buuuuttt. A country that is as divided as it has ever been? Really?? There was that civil war thingy.

I think we've enjoyed a relative calm period in our history (since post-WWII). You never hear about people being tarred and feathered now-a-days.

Even since WWII, we've had multiple riots. It ebbs and flows.

Also, we do have technology that allows people to broadcast messages in perceived complete anonymity. People also tend to say things through channels such as email they would never say face-to-face.

So you could say (and I do), another type of perfect storm or convergence of adequate circumstances.

As much as I would love to get paid big bucks to screw over the 9'ers, I would not want to be Kyle Williams right now. Maybe in a few years.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Hate to be nit-picky, buuuuttt. A country that is as divided as it has ever been? Really?? There was that civil war thingy.

 

[az1965]

i will sabotage SF for less....

LOL!!!