“Gatekeeping” is one of the more clever new terms to emerge from the social media era. Loosely defined refers to when a person posts the parameters and rules to fit into a given group on social media.
NFL reporter Paul Kuharsky, who appears to have a very large following on X (formerly known as Twitter), decided to do some Titans fan gatekeeping.
In his mind, no Titans fan can root for Derrick Henry this season if the running back’s success helps bring victories for Baltimore.
If you root for Derrick Henry to the extent that you want the Ravens to win so much as a game, you are not the #Titans' fan you think you are. Period. Not up for debate.
If they are on the goal line at the end of a game they are trailing by 4, and you want him to score, you are…
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) July 19, 2024
If that “logic” gives you a bit of an ice cream headache, well, you’re not alone. The flaws in this reasoning (to be polite and put it mildly) found their way to Henry, and it bothered him enough that he took the time to respond.
Paul go find something to do https://t.co/tacF0lVbRD
— Derrick Henry (@KingHenry_2) July 19, 2024
I have to admit, I truly laughed out loud, or “LOL,” at that. Henry is right; this is a classic case of putting energy and time into a useless and pointless concept.
It probably worked out well for Kuharsky, though, as his posting has nearly two million views.
Henry is the third-leading rusher in Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans history, behind only Eddie George and Earl Campbell.
Given all that he accomplished with Tennessee, Titans fans should have no issue continuing to root for Henry.