Big Blue have each other’s backs in face of social-media criticism

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This article was published 15/09/2022 (1152 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If you look up tweets with Winston Rose’s name, you’ll find numerous examples of people bashing his play this season.

“Has Winston Rose become a liability, or is he having an off game? Seems slow,” wrote one fan on Sept. 4.

“Cut Winston Rose,” wrote another on Aug. 11.

The worst of it came in the first few weeks when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back, a CFL All-Star in 2019 after leading the league with nine interceptions, had some obvious struggles. Rose injured his foot in the pre-season and took a while to look like himself again.

“Why is Winston Rose still here? He’s been burnt in every single game,” tweeted a fan on June 17.

And yes, Rose heard his critics loud and clear.

He also heard them last season when he joined the Bombers late in the year after getting released by the Cincinnati Bengals.

“Last year, I (reacted) to it, but my coaches told me that it’s part of the game we play. You’re going to have critics, you’re going to have reporters and writers talk, but it’s not on you to go at them. That’s their job,” Rose told the Free Press after Thursday’s closed practice at IG Field ahead of Saturday’s game in Hamilton against the Tiger-Cats.

“So, coming in this year, and not starting off the season how I wanted to, I was getting the same feedback. But instead of going back and forth and commenting back, I just let it fuel my fire and it motivated me more. In the position that I’m in, you’re going to have people talk about you. You just got to have that thick skin. Even though I have thick skin, it’s human nature to feel some type of way. But at the same time, I don’t let it affect me or let it affect my game.”

That’s easier said than done, especially when family members and friends see the negativity online.

“They’re the ones that see it and they sometimes bring it to my attention and then I go look at it and it’s like ‘Damn, they said this about me?’ And then a week later, I’ll do something good and you won’t hear nothing. It comes with the territory, it comes with the position, and it comes with being a professional athlete,” said Rose, who had his third interception of 2022 in last weekend’s Banjo Bowl.

“You have other athletes in the world that will make fake accounts and talk back at a reporter or talk back at the fans. I’m not one of them athletes that would do that, but if I see you, I’m gonna bring it up. I’m not trying to fight or anything, it’s more so to let you know that I know (what was said).”

Running back Brady Oliveira can relate. Despite being the hometown kid, Oliveira was heavily scrutinized until he found his groove with 110 yards on 15 carries against Calgary in Week 8.

“It was tough. At the end of the day, we’re humans. It’s hard going home and with me having a presence on social media, I’ll be naturally scrolling and it’s not like I’m trying to search for anything, but it’s there and it’s right in front of your eyes to see and for everyone else to see,” said Oliveira.

“Everyone makes mistakes and you’re not out there playing the game. You don’t know what we saw or what we’re exactly doing. I always find it hard how someone else can speak about how we’re playing because I guarantee most of those people haven’t even played football.”

Players could always try head coach Mike O’Shea’s solution.

“Shut your social media off. Just don’t have it. I mean, I don’t even know what purpose it serves to tell you the truth,” said O’Shea.

“I’ll just say this, unfortunately, I need to start understanding this more, but I don’t relate to a lot of that stuff… I don’t know why someone else’s opinion would matter. Really, you try to convince the guys that in a team setting, the real opinions that matter are your own and your peers. And if you’re doing everything you can and making decisions to help your teammates, they’ll all love you.”

Of course, social media isn’t all bad. It’s a valuable promotional tool and a way for players to show fans who they are away from the gridiron. And considering how the Bombers are 12-1 and coming off of back-to-back Grey Cups, harsh remarks are few and far between these days. When a mistake is made, however, and the keyboard warriors are out in full force, Oliveira said they have each other’s backs.

“The one thought that goes through my mind when someone goes through that is just how everyone loves each other and supports each other like nothing even happened. Whether you had a good game or a bad game, everyone is there to love on you,” Oliveira said.

“We’re brothers in that locker room.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31