[jwplayer RENzfVR3-XNcErKyb]
We’ve said it time and time again: fans do not live in a vacuum separated from the current, past and prospective athletes they supposedly cheer for.
This is a drum we continue to bang, and will continue to, because the vocal minority — assuredly a small, but loud fraction of the fanbase — tends to tweet things that both players and recruits see. Two people close to Michigan have told WolverinesWire in recent months that the outspoken negative contingent has done damage when it comes to recruiting.
For all the ‘do more, say less’ crowd spouts off, it’s their doing more while saying more that hurts the chances that the team they ‘root’ for actually does the things they dream of. Yes, the team has to find a way to beat Ohio State to achieve its goals, but telling prospective recruits their talent would be wasted at Michigan or current players that they have no chance at beating the Buckeyes — that’s both a deterrent to the possible players suiting up and a kernel of doubt in those who already do.
There are copious amounts of fan accounts out there, and one didn’t tweet directly at the players, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t seen.
In response to a 97.1 FM article stating that Michigan has the best odds to beat Ohio State and win the Big Ten of any team, one such fan account proclaimed on Twitter: ‘No Michigan fan actually believes this FYI.’
But, again, we don’t live in a vacuum. And a current Michigan player saw the tweet.
And this is why we don’t fw y’all “fans” https://t.co/eBAxAd5pgX
— DON JETE ♠️ (@DonovanJeter95) March 31, 2020
Jeter isn’t the first Michigan player to express annoyance at the outspoken fans who take to social media. Former TE Zach Gentry deleted his social media accounts after being barraged following some miscues against Ohio State. Multiple players have stated that they’ve stayed off Twitter during the season to avoid the constant negativity, coming specifically from people who claim to be fans of the maize and blue.
We’re not saying you can’t be angry or frustrated about the losses, or unspectacular performances. And how you deal with it is your prerogative. But those actions taken out of frustration can be counterproductive, there are sometimes consequences to voicing those frustrations.
We’re also not saying that all fans must be ‘rah rah’ and pretend everything is golden all the time. But we don’t understand trashing the supposed thing that you love, if you’re one to do that. Because there’s no positive consequence that can come of it.
Even in basketball, nearly every player that’s decided to leave the Wolverines early has faced strong blowback from fans who proclaim ‘they’re not ready’ only to see most, if not all of them, get drafted. Such was the case last year with Jordan Poole, Ignas Brazdeikis, Moe Wagner, DJ Wilson and various others who all were either first or second-round draft picks. It’s an annual tradition that no one seems to learn from.
So, before you fire off that angry tweet, Facebook or Instagram post, take a deep breath and ask yourself if it’s really going to help anything. Because it’s a near certainty that, while it might make yourself feel better for a moment, it’ll do more harm than good.