The Monday Mommy: Some Ground Rules for Game Day Twitter
“Some of it can be positive and a really solid way to interact with fellow fans, while a large portion is super annoying and cringe-worthy.”
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Social media specifically twitter, has completely changed the way we all watch our sporting events.
Some of it can be positive and a really solid way to interact with fellow fans, while a large portion is super annoying and cringe-worthy. While I may not be the most socially responsible tweeter out there, I make every attempt to avoid certain pitfalls and pet peeves, especially on game day.
Here is a list of those sayings, phrases and don’ts that should be avoided while tweeting during live sporting events, specifically football. I know you’re probably thinking,”Who appointed me queen of twitter and all the rules that govern it?” I am very aware that I do not hold that specific job title; however feel that someone needs to address this and stop the madness.
Stop tweeting obscenities at athletes – This should really be a no-brainer, but sadly is not. These guys work ridiculously hard both on and off the field and should not be berated for their mistakes via social media. The athletes beat themselves up enough for whatever error occurred on their own and we should leave them to it.
You cannot ask people to not spoil a live event- Each and every week there are people out there who tweet out the fact that they have a prior engagement during game time and to please not spoil the event via social media. Really? You expect millions of rabid fans to refrain from tweeting about live games because you have a piano recital to go to? I think not.
Leave the Play-by-Play to the booth – We are all watching the game. Even those who log in to twitter to catch a score if they aren’t able to tune in, do not need every single play laid out on their timeline. It’s all right to get excited about big plays, bad calls or lack of calls, just don’t type out every single thing that happens on the playing field. No one wants to read your full stream of consciousness on a regular basis and game day is certainly no different.
Be creative, avoid common overused phrases – Unless you are brand new to twitter, we’ve all read the same recycled “funny” tweets over and over. For example, “Peyton Manning is good at football”. Insert whomever you wish, but that tweet has been done and done and done. While we’re at it, let’s ban “just sayin” too.
Let’s stop stating the obvious – Unless you are a major source, there is no need to restate that so and so is out with a concussion. I know we all want to be the first to report something, however there is no need for every single person watching a game to tweet out injuries. It gets super redundant and unnecessary.
There are undoubtedly more rules that should be applied to game day twitter, but I don’t want to come off as a complete social media Nazi, as least more than this article already does. While social interaction can elevate game day enjoyment, especially for those of us whose spouses usually work, forcing us cheer and root solo, it can also make me want to throw my Ipad across the room.
With the Broncos poised and ready for the playoff revenge tour, let’s try to apply these rules to next Sunday’s matchup with the Chargers. In turn, we could all collectively have a better viewing experience.
While I don’t expect serial twitter rule breakers to quit cold turkey, let’s just start out with baby steps. Maybe stop doing one or two of these things with each matchup and build up to a healthier, less frustrating game day twitter for all.
