Kaepernick Investigated: Seahawks Fans, Stay Away
By Todd Pheifer
Jan 19, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) leaves the field after the 2013 NFC Championship football game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
According to a number of reports, Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers is being investigated by Miami police after he was allegedly involved in a “suspicious incident.” The investigation is reported to be in the early stages, and it also involves 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton and Seattle Seahawks receiver Ricardo Lockette.
Can I make a small suggestion? Seahawks fans need to stay away from commenting on this particular story.
Now, someone is going to suggest to me that this is a free country and fans can comment on any story that they want. That is true, within reason.
The point is that this is the type of story that is eventually going to solicit a few tacky and classless comments at the bottom of the page, which will undoubtedly lead to some angry responses. Let’s try to keep things civil, people. There is enough conflict in the world as it is. Crime isn’t funny, particularly when we are talking about the types of crimes that are being investigated.
There are plenty of classy Seahawks fans out there, and they wouldn’t dream of commenting on this story. This suggestion of mine is directed at the small segment of fans who would be tempted to use this as a platform to advance the rivalry between the ‘Hawks and the Niners.
Lest we forget, the presence of Lockette’s name in this story means that Seattle fans can’t exactly suggest that no one on the Seahawks would ever be involved in such things.
Unfortunately, someone out there is going to write something about how they never trusted that Kaepernick guy. Someone else is going to use this as a way to discuss the competitive balance between the two teams in 2014. Undoubtedly, someone will type something that is crass, in very pour taste, racist, sexist or simply ignorant.
Stop. Back away from the keyboard.
At this point, we don’t know very much. In addition, this story is not about the X’s and O’s of football. It is a story that has the potential for a lot of sadness, both in the present and into the future.
Fans, don’t post something stupid and classless. Leave it alone.
Time for me to get off the soap box. Before you hit the “Submit,” “Post” or “Send” button, take a moment to think. Is your comment really going to move the conversation to a better place? Stay classy, my friends.