Twitter Report: Athletes Fawning Over Tim Tebow

Terrell Davis, former Denver Broncos player: @terrell_davis “I've seen this movie before. I won't ruin it for everyone, but it's starring Tim Tebow, so you know what happens.”

Eric LeGrand, former Rutgers football player: @bige52_RU “Always finding a way Tim Tebow and my broncos, tied for 1st place #leggo”

LeBron James, NBA, Miami Heat: @KingJames “He's done it again!! Congrats @TimTebow on the big W and now tied for 1st place in the division #allhedoiswin”

Tracy McGrady, NBA, Detroit Pistons: @TheReal_TMAC “winning > stats #tebow”

Marshon Brooks, NBA, New Jersey Nets: @Marshon2 “Tebow for president..” “Who buying me the tebow jersey for Xmas?”

Jonny Flynn, NBA, Houston Rockets: @J_Flynn “Tebow needs to replace the guy in the Dos Equis commercials”

Shane Battier, NBA, Memphis Grizzlies: @ShaneBattier “#TebowTime”

Jason Thompson, NBA, Sacramento Kings: @jtthekid “Tebow Bout to Get Another W...”

Abby Wambach, soccer, U.S. Women's National Team: @AbbyWambach “@TimTebow just HAS IT!!! Brings back what's good about sports and no one can debate the wins... Keep doing what u do. #inspired”

Christie Rampone, soccer, U.S. Women's National Team: @christierampone “Another victory for @TimTebow! #FRS”

Sacha Kljestan, soccer, U.S. Men's National Team: @SachaKljestan “I don't care what all these haters say, Tim Tebow is a winner.”

Dax McCarty, MLS, New York Red Bulls: @DaxMcCarty11 “Tim Tebow will never lose another football game in his life.”

Alexi Lalas, former U.S. Men's National Team soccer player: @alexilalas22 “I'm up to speed on Tim Tebow, so now I'm gonna watch him. He just threw a TD. I'm supposed to credit the Broncos defense, right?”


Photo Credits.
Tim Tebow: AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

Twitter Report: NFL Week 5

The NFL makes sure to capture everyone’s attention on Sunday’s with thrilling performances on the gridiron. And with increased communication we can see what everyone is thinking on Twitter.

So in Week 5 of the NFL what were the headlines that had all of us, including other professional athletes tweeting?

Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) finally replaced Kyle Orton at quarterback in Denver and the Eagles continued their slide with a loss against Buffalo, so Michael Vick was a popular topic of discussion as well. Some pros even got to experience a game live in person and tweeted us their photos.

Here’s what the pros were saying on Twitter.

Carmelo Anthony, NBA, New York Knicks: @carmeloanthony “No matter what happen, Tim Tebow is always ready when his # is called!!!!! #TrueProfessional”

Jared Dudley, NBA, Phoenix Suns: @JaredDudley619 “I think Tebow lock up his starting job.. It wasn't pretty but will take the Win.. Can't wait to see what @RealSkipBayless says bout Tebow”

Jason Thompson, NBA, Sacramento Kings: @jtthekid “Congrats to @MikeVick on Being the All-Time Rushing Leader As a QB!!!! #Respect #Eagles”

Dwayne Wade, NBA, Miami Heat: @DwayneWade “WOW.. The Eagles have done everything in their own power to lose yet another game-and btw its not all @MikeVick fault.”

Heath Pearce, MLS, Chivas USA & USA: @thehp3 “OMG. I.DIE. 49ers r on a roll...... What a sunday for football. Now just need a fantasy win for my team. #repyourhood”

Herculez Gomez, professional soccer player, Estudiantes Tecos (Mexico) & USA: @herculezg “#JustWinBaby! #raidernation”

Stu Holden, professional soccer player, Bolton (England) & USA: @stuholden “C'mon Texannnnnns ! 4th quarter rally caps”

Marshon Brooks, NBA, New Jersey Nets: @Marshon2 “Tom Brady release is flawless...”

Maya Moore, WNBA, Minnesota Lynx: @MooreMaya “My 1st Vikings Game! Nice Win guys! lockerz.com/s/145840549”

Jose Bautista, MLB, Toronto Blue Jays: @JoeyBats19 “Let's go Steelers!! Time for that bounce back W!! #pregame #warmups #withmybro”

Photo Credits.
Tim Tebow: AP Photo/Joe Mahoney

Twitter Report: Athletes Remember Steve Jobs

Last night the world was shocked when Steve Jobs passed away due to pancreatic cancer. He was the co-founder, chairman and CEO of Apple Inc. and was also a CEO with Pixar Studios. He’s known as one of the best American innovators, being a part of so many things in the technology industry that have changed our world.

When the news was dropped yesterday many people took to Twitter to pay their respects. Amongst those Tweeting were many professional athletes, offering their condolences and remembering the genius of Steve Jobs.

Here is what some of them Tweeted.

LeBron James, NBA, Miami Heat: @KingJames “R.I.P Steve Jobs. Someone who definitely left his mark on this world! Innovations that will live and last forever!!”

Tracy McGrady, NBA, Detroit Pistons: @TheReal_TMAC “amazing how steve jobs changed people's lives all around the WORLD”

Cappie Pondexter, WNBA, New York Liberty: @cappa23 “I bought an ipad today in memory of#stevejobs thnkyou for ur genius!! Rip”

Serena Williams, professional tennis player: @serenawilliams “Steve Jobs the Thomas Edison of our day. You will be missed but your Legend will Live forever.”

Ndamukong Suh, NFL, Detroit Lions: @ndamukong_suh “It is very sad to hear that Mr. Steve Jobs has passed.He Will be greatly missed in many ways, will pray for his family!! #RIPSteveJobs#Apple”

Zoltan Mesko, NFL, New England Patriots: @ZoltanMesko “Forever the face of Apple...Steve Jobs. Bravo.”

Freddy Adu, MLS, Philadelphia Union & USA: @FreddyAdu11 “Wowwww Steve Jobs died. Man he changed the World with his vision. RIP Steve Jobs”

Nick Rimando, MLS, Real Salt Lake & USA: @NickRimando “I'm late but RIP Steve Jobs, don't know what I'd do without apple. What a Brilliant man!”

Carlos Bocanegra, professional soccer player, Rangers FC & USA: @BocaBoca3 “Steve Jobs , a modern day Da Vinci. He definitely warrants that shout. You changed the world.”

Abby Wambach, WPS, magicJack & USA: @AbbyWambach “Rip steve jobs! #iSad”

Photo Credits.
Steve Jobs: AP Photo/Paul Sakuma

Twitter Report: What the Pros Had to Say About NFL Week 4

Turns out that professional athletes are just like all of us: On Sundays in fall they too enjoy posting on the couch and watching the NFL all day.

Most of the insight of the day came from the Detroit Lions’ thrilling comeback victory over the Dallas Cowboys, showing tweets of excitement from Michigan natives, tweets of awe for Calvin “Megatron” Johnson and tweets of disappointment from Cowboys fans.

Here’s what the pros had to Tweet about while watching that game and many others around the NFL.

Blake Griffin, NBA, Los Angeles Clippers: @blakegriffin “Big shout out to football season for making it okay to not get off my couch all weekend.”

LeBron James, NBA, Miami Heat: @KingJames “Give credit to Megatron and the Lions on the win. Very good team. They got #swag right now”

Kevin Durant, NBA, Oklahoma City Thunder: @KDTrey5 “Megatron hahaha best in the league”

Grant Hill, NBA, Phoenix Suns: @realgranthill “@jrich23 The ghosts of R. Porcher, Herman Moore, Lomas Brown and Scott Mitchell did us in. Congrats JRich for beating us 4 the 1st time.”

Shane Battier, NBA, Memphis Grizzlies: @ShaneBattier “@realgranthill33 sorry grant about your boys, just just like the Chrysler commercial says, The D is back.”

Dax McCarty, MLS, New York Red Bulls: @DaxMcCarty11: “After watching football highlights, I've decided Calvin Johnson should permanently change his name to Megatron. Just that. Dude is a freak.”

Paul Rabil, professional lacrosse player, Boston Cannons and Washington Stealth: @PaulRabil “#Megatron”

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, professional wrestler, WWE: @TheRock “Huge Lions win. On fire. Detroit's a helluva city - kicked ass there many times. Dallas?”

Jimmy Rollins, MLB, Philadelphia Phillies: @JimmyRollins11 “@eackley1023 well I want the niner's to win........ But don't wanna see the eagles blow the lead!! Tuff spot for me”

Herculez Gomez, professional soccer player, Estudiantes Tecos (Mexico) & USA: @herculezg “SF fans, what are the 49ers doing? That was the worst clock management I have ever seen. Wow. #thatjusthappend”

Jose Bautista, MLB, Toronto Blue Jays: @JoeyBats19 “let's go @steelers!! time to go get a W!! #beastmode”

Jonny Flynn, NBA, Houston Rockets: @J_Flynn “Its like Aaron Rodgers is in a video game every Sunday. You see his #’s & make the ‘really’ face”

Brandon Phillips, MLB, Cincinnati Reds: @DatDudeBP "This game is not looking good for the @Bengals but maybe next half will be better... #WhoDey"

Alejandro Bedoya, professional soccer player, Rangers FC (Scotland) & USA: @AleBedoya17 “Sucks to be Miami #Dolphins fan!! On a positive note former #Hurricanes still holding active record streak for a touchdown in NFL,143 weeks”

Photo Credits.
Calvin Johnson: AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

Athletes Tweeting About Shaq

AP Photo/John Raoux

Shaquille O'Neal is the reason why I fell in love with basketball. He was incredibly talented, charismatic, humble, personable and entertaining. I saw "Kazaam" and "Steel" and I cried when he left my favorite team--the Orlando Magic (simply because he played for them)-- for the Los Angeles Lakers. I always remained in awe when he would throw down an amazing slam dunk. I laughed during almost all of his press conferences and was impressed when he danced at the All-Star game with the Jabbawockeez.

I will have so many fond memories of The Diesel and will thank him for them and for getting me excited about basketball.

However, I am not the only one to appreciate The Big Shaqtus/Shamrock. So many others respected him, especially fellow professional athletes. Here's how some of them paid tribute to The Big Aristotle (@SHAQ) on their Twitter pages.

Scottie Pippin, Hall-of-Fame NBA player, most notably with the Chicago Bulls: @ScottiePippin "Congrats to @SHAQ on a Hall of Fame career. He is truly one of the game's most dominant big men to ever play."

LeBron James, NBA, Miami Heat: @KingJames "What a career for Shaq Diesel!! The most dominating force to ever play the game. Great person to be around as well. Comedy all the time!!"

Dwyane Wade, NBA, Miami Heat: @dwadeofficial "I'm honored and truly humbled to have been a teammate of the GREAT @SHAQ..this game will not be the same without him..respect"

Steve Nash, NBA, Phoenix Suns: @SteveNash "Congratulations @SHAQ on your quadruple platinum hall of fame career. I know you're not riding off into the sunset...what's next?"

Grant Hill, NBA, Phoenix Suns: @realgranthill33 (2 tweets) "Congrats to my former teammate, friend and neighbor @SHAQ on a Hall Of Fame career. 1 of the best ever. Also, 1 of the only rappers to" "to have a song with both JayZ and Biggie Smalls. #respecttweet"

Tracy McGrady, NBA, Detroit Pistons: @TheReal_TMAC "#salute to the big fella from LSU... dominant, charming, funny, and a true NBA legend.. i will miss shaquille o'neal... #retiring"

Andy Roddick, tennis player: @andyroddick "i will miss shaq.... he is the best quote in sports"

Paul Rabil, professional lacrosse player, Boston Cannons and Washington Stealth: @PaulRabil "This Shaq retirement conference is the most entertainment I've seen associated with the NBA since MJ was playing. #MadRespect #BigAARP"

Chad Ochocinco, NFL, Cincinnati Bengals: @ochocinco "#OCNN - All the best to my good friend @SHAQ. Truly one of the greatest of all time!!!"

Michael Strahan, former NFL player, New York Giants: @michaelstrahan "Congratulations to @SHAQ on retiring after 19 years in the game. Dominant force....."

Jozy Altidore, professional soccer player, Bursaspor (Turkey) & USA @JozyAltidore17 "@SHAQ u the man"

Giuseppe Rossi, profesonal soccer player, Villarreal (Spain) & Italy: @GiuseppeRossi22 "Who agrees with me that @SHAQ is one of the best all time? #dominance #power #champion"

John Cena, professionoal wrestler, WWE: @JohnCena "CeNation. Watching Shaq's retirement address. Class act. He has great personality and relationship with media. Truly one of the greatest."

Welcome to the Tiger Zoo

AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File

Editorial.

Ever since Tiger Woods burst onto the professional golf scene in 1996 the media has tirelessly built him up and put him on a pedestal at a height of unbelievable greatness and professionalism.

In a matter of a few weeks, they media took great pleasure in demolishing his entire image.

Woods got into a car accident November 26 and his private life has since spilled into his public appearance.

Questions were numerous. How did Woods get into the one-car accident? Where was he going at 2:30 in the morning? Why did his wife use a golf club to smash open the back window?

Woods' refusal to talk with police did nothing to help him; rather, it opened him up for speculation.

Conspiracies ran rampant. Rumors swirled. Confessions from outside sources popped up. With each new idea the media pushed further and further.

While the traditional media was the catalyst, social media expedited the entire process. There was the Twitter trending topic. Saturday Night Live did a sketch and the video went viral. Text messages with alleged mistresses were revelaed and passed along throughout the Internet. There's also a "Tiger Hunt" web-based video game.

Now, Tiger Woods is losing endorsements and has announced he is taking a leave of absence from golf.

Tiger Woods' alleged actions are not commendable. They are wrong and are not model behavior. However, it is his private life and should not be news.

It is news however. The situation rings of hypocrisy.

Tiger Woods himself and the media have presented him as the most wholesome athlete on this planet. His endorsements are so strong because of the draw of being like Tiger, living the perfect life. However, he is not the wholesome man every one made him out to be.

Also, when Woods first issued a statement he said that his wife had courageously saved him from the car and that there was no truth to any other rumor out there. That turned out to be a bold-faced lie. The media called him out on it.

However, the media, both traditional and social, are not blameless.

They sensationalized Tiger. His first year on the pro tour he was named Sports Illustrated's “Sportsman of the Year” (he was named a second time in 2000). ESPN talked him up so much that in the summer of 2007 in an audience poll Tiger Woods was named the athlete who is "most now", essentially a popularity contest amongst athletes.

The sporting world had put Tiger on a Godly level. He could do no wrong. He was pristine.

Until he did do wrong. Very wrong.

One unanswered question lead to another, speculation grew in the tabloids, and the media ran with every bit of it, destroying piece by piece the ultimate figure they helped create.

Thou giveth, thou can taketh away.

Now, the media may have pushed too far. Woods has announced his leave of absence from the sport, and the media has now lost their biggest draw to golf.

Through Tiger’s misdeeds and the media’s relentlessness, Tiger loses some endorsements (and a lot of money), his wholesome image, and must go away from the sport he loves for an indefinite period of time. The media possibly loses access to Tiger in the future and for the time being loses the biggest attraction the sport of golf has to offer currently.

These seem like fitting penalties for both parties’ involvement in what should be known as Tiger Zoo.

The King of All Athletes using Social Media

AP Photo/Ed Reinke, file

Chad Ochocinco, wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, was being portrayed a certain way in the traditional media.

His touchdown celebrations, name change, and trade requests got him characterized as self-absorbed, an ego-maniac, and, occasionally, a clown.

So Ochocinco took went to social media to really show what he's all about, and it has worked beautifully.

He has accounts on Facebook and UStream, but is most famous for his use of Twitter.

Ochocinco has used these outlets to display his true personality and to really connect with his fans.

"It gives me a voice, the ability to reach people directly and for people to see who I am without the filter of the media, the critics or whomever," he said in an interview with USA Today.

Ochocinco has been able to change much of the public's perception of him from a guy who was only interested in himself to a man who is just enjoying his life and is trying to share the fun he's having with others.

He invites people to the movies or dinner with him ("If you're coming to Davids just tell the hostess you're here for lunch with Chad, its on 17th n meridian, lunch on me the blessing is on GOD" from 11/30/09) and challenges them to play him in video games ("Getting on call of duty people Estaban 85, let's play" from 11/30/09).

"I try to interact with every fan," Ochocinco says. "I try to respond to everybody."

While showing what a fun loving guy he is, the public has responded favorably.

Through his social media endeavors, he has also become an extremely marketable celebrity.

Ochocinco has come out with his own book, he became the first NFL player to get his own iPhone application, has appeared on late night talk shows, and is apparently even coming out with his own brand of condoms.

What's making him even more successful is that he is also back to being a productive player on the field (773 yards receiving and five touchdowns in 11 games) and his team is in first place in the AFC North. He’s an athlete first and foremost and his success on the field makes him a credible figure.

Chad Ochocinco is a fantastic example of how to best utilize social media and the good that it can do someone.

He connects with people across the globe, giving them a vantage point into his life that they wouldn't have had previously, and he gives back to the community. He also has used it to create a brand name for himself. Most importantly, he changed people's perceptions of him, getting everyone to see him how he wants them to, not as how the media depicts him.

Ochocinco gets it and he's letting the rest of us in on the fun he's having.