Oregon Football Player Doesn't Understand Social Media

An Oregon football player found a new way to get kicked off a football team. Jamere Holland a senior wide receiver for the ducks was kicked off the team for a post on his facebook page. The receiver was challenging his coach Chip Kelly after he believed that linebacker Kiko Alonso had been thrown off the team for a DUI arrest. On his PUBLIC facebook status Holland talked of how it was a "weak" decision to kick Alonso off the team and used many expletives. On a second post after someone had informed him to be careful what he puts on his facebook Holland said he wished he could only have black people as friends because he was misunderstood by whites. Holland had been in trouble before with the Ducks. He was suspended for the Rose Bowl game against Ohio State for academic problems.

The bigger issue here for non Oregon fans is the effect of social media on athletes. Kevin Love has had his twitter reigned in by the Minnesota Timberwolves after he told everyone his coach was fired before the team had released a statement. These athletes need to learn that while they may have an opinion telling the whole world is not the place to do it. This kid has lost a chance to play football for FREE at a good university because he had to run his mouth on his facebook. You didn't even have to be listed as a friend to see his profile. That means that any newspaper, blog, tv station in the world could see what he said about Chip Kelly. If he really thinks that a school with the resources of Oregon isn't going to see what he said about his coach, it is amazing to think he got into college. When will common sense prevail in athletics?

I believe this young man will become an example all across the nation for talks to NCAA athletes about their social media responsibility. He certainly has become the person you don't want to be as a young athlete. I would like to say I hope Holland has learned a lesson, but what would it matter. He had 2 touchdowns in two seasons at Oregon and now will fade into the abyss. He got his 15 minutes of fame at a great cost, the end of his football career. Not worth a rant on facebook if you ask me.

I think this dropped touchdown pass by Holland is a good metaphor for his career.