Antonio Cromartie Fined For Tweeting

The San Diego Chargers fined cornerback Antonio Cromartie $2,500 for tweeting a complaint about the quality of the food at Bolts training camp last week. While the National Football League readies an official game day Twitter policy, players are being warned of the repercussions of their online existence—like in Green Bay, where the team has promised a $1,701 (huh?) fine for tweeting during team functions. But in San Diego, the Chargers took it to a whole other level by nailing Antonio (aka “crimetime31“) for merely expressing his opinion.

Antonio Cromartie, San Diego Chargers / Image: Zuma Press

Here’s what Antonio had to say in the offending tweet (if you can decipher):

“Man we have 2 have the most nasty food of any team. Damn can we upgrade 4 str8 years the same ish maybe that’s y we can’t we the SB we need.”

The case with Antonio seems to have taken things too far. Now, apparently Chargers head coach Norv Turner specifically told his squad not to discuss any team matters on Twitter or any other online social media. So I guess, technically, the front office has a case. But, it’s ridiculous. The quality of the food in the cafeteria really shouldn’t be considered a “team matter.” Besides, the guy has to be able to express his opinions about the food in the facility. What the heck? And if using Twitter as a forum to do so is frowned upon, I think the team is taking their authority too far.

Buffalo Bills LB Kawika Mitchell put it best in his own four-part Twitter response to the situation:

“Players play this game. They’re tryin to get us to play for free. If we want to complain about some sh!t then let us b. We’re just like any other person workin. If u don’t like somethin I’m sure you’ll complain. Our voice is our rite. It’s bullsh!t that the league is scared of twitter. We have opinions. We sit back and listen to all the bullsh!t media, coaches and fans have to say, so if the chargers food sucks. It sucks. Please! B mad at real sh!t.”

I think the personal messages and interaction with fans from players like Antonio and Kawika; as well as Chad Ochocinco, Terrell Owens and so many others; is the best thing to happen to the NFL—from a media perspective—in years. The lockdown on the players’ on-field exploits (or in-game tweeting) is one thing. To take away their freedom of speech off-the-field is quite another. The truest insider perspective can’t come from any member of the media. Sorry. It has to come from the players themselves. If the league will let them.

Sources: twitter.com/crimetime31, twitter.com/Ka_Mitchell55