Tennessee Titans fans have rapidly lost support for starting QB Cam Ward amid their 0-3 start and his 3-17 record as a starter since last year. But some fans (maybe not even Titans fans) have taken things way too far by reportedly making threats against his family.
In a post on Instagram, Ward’s sister Chantal revealed that she and her family members have been receiving messages across social media with threats, bullying and other personal attacks in the aftermath of some of his games. Her Instagram account has since been made private.
“The fact I even have to post this is diabolical,” Chantal Ward wrote. “People see the football games. They see the wins, the losses, the interceptions, the touchdowns, the press conferences and everything that happens on the field. What they don’t see is what comes with it for the people who love these players when the game is over.”
“After games, people come directly to my DMs on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with threats, hate, bullying, personal attacks, and disrespect toward me and my family – all over football.
“Criticize the game. Criticize a play. Be frustrated with your team. That’s sports, and I completely understand that. But seeking out a player’s sister, parents, or other family members to personally attack them because you’re upset about what happened on a football field is something completely different.
“Cam is a quarterback to y’all. He’s entertainment on Sundays. To me, that’s my little brother. Somebody I’ve loved, protected, supported, and watched work for his entire life.
“So when people come to my page or into my messages is disrespecting him, me or my family, and then tell me, ‘Don’t take it personal’ – how exactly am I supposed to take it?
“And trust me, the screenshots I share are only a fraction of what comes through. There’s so much that happens outside of those football games that people will never see.
“Criticize football all you want. Criticize performance. Criticize the decisions. That comes with the territory.
“But threats, harassment, bullying, and attacking someone’s family will never be just part of the game.”
Struggles for Ward
In 20 games as a starter, Ward has completed 60-percent of his passes for 3,673 yards and 17 touchdowns with eight interceptions. Last year he didn’t get his first win until Week 5 and the team underwent seismic leadership changes in the ensuing months.
But no level of struggle or success warrants threats to an athlete or their family.
