Beware the Twitter trap

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/07/2010 (5542 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The rule of thumb — or the rule for thumbing a message — is as follows: Imagine there is a microphone or camera in front of your face, and you’re talking to reporters.

Welcome to the world of Twitter as it pertains to the web-savvy CFL athlete.

"It’s like anything you’re saying publicly — you have to be careful what you say," offered Winnipeg Blue Bombers slotback Aaron Hargreaves after practice Thursday. "It’s a great way for the fans to connect with the athletes, but when it comes to opinions … maybe people need to be a little more careful what they say."

Hargreaves is one of a handful of Bombers who subscribe to the popular social medium (joining LB Ike Charlton, S Ian Logan, and QB Alex Brink), tapping out their thoughts 140 characters at a time. Former Bombers DB Jonathan Hefney, QB Stefan LeFors, and the recently released LB Derrick Doggett also use the device to connect with people instantly. In fact, Doggett told his fans via Twitter that he had been cut — before the club had a chance to put out a release Thursday morning.

Before that, though, Twitter, Facebook — and any other web-based time-waster out there — worked its way to the top of the CFL headlines thanks to Rob Murphy and his apparent boredom. The Toronto Argonauts offensive lineman was fined an undisclosed amount from both the club and the league for a couple of tweets he sent out Wednesday morning, as the Argos rode the rails to Montreal prior to the game with the Alouettes Thursday night.

The messages:

"At train station … Pumped to be smelling foreigners this early in the AM. They smell less offensive this way … little known fact." That thoughtless update was followed by this less-offensive one: "OK … the novelty of riding on a train thru Ontario and "Frenchland" has worn out … get me off this damn thing!!!"

After getting chewed out by the club, Murphy deleted the posts and he later apologized. Via Twitter, of course.

"I’m sorry if I offended anyone by my recent comments. I was JOKING around."

Murphy’s insensitive brain cramp is rare, but it illustrates the cyber-minefield some athletes choose to walk through when they decide to build their brand and form a better connection with the paying customer. Show who you are, but not too much.

Personality-lite, if you will.

"Bottom line, it’s a good way to reach out to the fans," Logan said. "Not really personal, private information, but more along the lines of how training is going, or how I’m feeling before a game — the kind of stuff the fan doesn’t get access to without being a part of the social network.

"You have to use some discretion. Things you say on there could come back to haunt you."

That’s where the league steps in. As a fan-based, ticket-selling operation, the CFL wants to embrace all avenues for fan interaction and relationship building, but discipline will be levied if inappropriate comments are made that could alienate a potential consumer.

According to a league spokesman, the social media policy for 2010 states that all comments made through things like Twitter and Facebook will be treated as public comments. Also, players and coaches are prohibited from engaging in any social media during games, including the 20 minutes leading up to kickoff and 20 minutes following the final whistle.

Remember when Saskatchewan LB Tad Kornegay decided to send out a "We up Rider nation! Let’s put them away now!" Tweet during the Grey Cup halftime last November? Now, that is officially frowned upon (and not just in Regina).

The Bombers went over these rules of web engagement with the players prior to the season and have stretched the league parameters even further, extending the no-Tweet zone from 20 minutes before and after the game to two full hours. That way, a player is less likely to get himself in trouble by firing off an angry message concerning a referee or a perceived injustice that occurred during the game.

Bombers media director Darren Cameron — who spends a good chunk of his time actively Tweeting the team happenings from his BlackBerry — says the club encourages social media interaction. That green light, however, comes with a yellow caution:

"Overall, we tell our players to always be respectful and mindful that millions of people can see what they write," he said. "It’s imperative they are conscious of the fact that once they post something, there is no taking it back. I always tell them to just be smart, respectful and use common sense."

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca