Sports talk with Spider: Why use social media when you don’t have a social concern?

By Donald “Spider” Willis

The 21^st century professional athlete is more computer savvy than their predecessors. They have the best electronic gadgets at their grasp, including a laptop, an iPad, a digital camera and at least two cell phones. The combination of being a geek and an athlete is what you see these days, as they update their social media accounts between team meetings.

These athletes are active on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube marketing their names 24/7. Even the ones who are not marketable are getting their names out. Can you imagine if YouTube had existed more than 40 years ago when Muhammad Ali was standing toe-to-toe with the United States government to express how his Muslim beliefs prevented him from condoning the Vietnam conflict or Tommy Smith and John Carlos on Twitter protesting at the 1968 Olympics about the plight of Blacks and endorsing Civil Rights.

These events would have reached millions instantly via the Internet and cable television. But at the time of these historic events there were only your local newspaper and the nightly news with Walter Cronkite to spread the word.

Yet the actions of Ali, Smith and Carlos made impact even though broadcast media was still in its blissful youthful stage. These men sacrificed their reputations, careers, families and the American dream.

Are the players of today afraid of taking a stand on social issues because of their image or endorsements? Instead, some athletes use social media for ridiculous means. Reggie Bush used Twitter several months ago to complain about the New Orleans Saints’ choice to draft Alabama running back Mark Ingram. Who will benefit from his complaint? Obviously he didn’t. By the way, Bush has 1.9 million followers on Twitter.

Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

Maybe it’s time for professional athletes and owners to use social media to make a difference regarding social issues instead of socializing. For instance, Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant has 94,000 followers on Twitter. That is the perfect avenue to spread his thoughts on social issues. How about the Cowboys’ fearless leader, Tony Romo? He has approximately 6,000 followers.

For example, an estimated 29,000 children have died from famine in Somalia, Africa, where rebels are the governing body. Although international help is on the rise, the developed nations are focused on their own debt reduction and perhaps not as generous as in years past. However, we do not have to cross the ocean to see suffering chidren. Sadly, we can find it in our own neighborhoods in the shadow of our high rises and McMansions around the Metrolplex.

I was wondering if any of the” big four,” meaning the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL, and its players associations have a platform or an agenda for the people of Somalia or any other social issue that happening in the world today.

Some of these athletes have wonderful foundations but most of them are set up by financial advisors as tax shelters or by agents and public relations agencies to create a positive image for the athlete. Yes, we hear how athletes are low-key when it comes to their so-called foundations and charities, but there comes a time when an athlete must stand for something with a purpose instead of personal greed. At least we would hope such a time would come.

You can listen to Dallas-area resident Donald “Spider” Willis on Sport Talk with Spider each Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. CST on fishbowlradionetwork.com For suggestion and topics call 469-335-6668 or email dwillisdw@yahoo.com