In case you missed the disgraceful news today, Ohio State basketball forward E.J. Liddell was sent unacceptable and frightening direct messages on social media after the Buckeyes bowed out of the NCAA Tournament.
Yeah, it was a disappointing loss, and, yeah, fans are frustrated, but we’re here to remind everyone it’s just a game.
If you’ve ever met or talked to Liddell, there aren’t a whole lot of better human beings out there. He’s respectful, hard-working and extremely gracious at press conferences and other media availabilities.
Maybe you should have to obtain a license for social media these days. In fact, our writer Mark Russell put this very well in a thought-out perspective.
Regardless, the Ohio State administration came to the defense of Liddell Saturday after the news broke. Both his head coach, Chris Holtmann, and athletic director Gene Smith released statements of support that we’re sharing with you.
NEXT … Chris Holtmann’s statement
Chris Holtmann statement on social media threats made to E.J. Liddell
— Chris Holtmann (@ChrisHoltmann) March 20, 2021
Good on Holtmann for the quick response. It must be noted that “take the necessary actions” reportedly involved notifying the police so the proper authorities can investigate and get to the bottom of this.
NEXT … OSU AD Gene Smith’s statement
Gene Smith statement on social media threats made to E.J. Liddell
I will support our student-athletes in and out of competition!
I have nothing but love and respect for E.J. He epitomizes all that we hope for in our student-athletes. pic.twitter.com/BxejMWvo1x
— Gene Smith (@OSU_AD) March 20, 2021
Smith has come under fire from a certain minority of Ohio State fans, but no matter what criticism you lob his way (which is still hard to do), there’s no denying he has always come out in support of athletes under his watch. It’s no different here.
We must reiterate there are clearly more important things in life (especially in this season of the COVID-19 pandemic), and there is absolutely no place for threats like this at any level of athletic competition. For those of you that live and die too hard on what a college athlete or team does to where it sparks this kind of reaction, it might be time to grow up.
We’ll get off of our soapbox for now.
