“But the Man on Twitter Told Me to…”

Twitter is a pretty fun way to throw your words around and influence people. Seriously, if you haven’t signed up, do it. Follow me when you do. One day I could be zip-lining through the Appalachians and the next I could be battling great whites off the coast of San Diego. If you haven’t read the news, there are fewer great whites out there. Why? I just told you. I was battling them. The only problem is that doesn’t really work well coming from me. Why? I’m no celebrity.

Celebrities have quite a bit of influence when they involve themselves in social media. Twitter seems to be the easiest portal for most due to its simplicity and ease of use from most mobile platforms, but celebrities cannot forget who they are and the audience that follows. It’s like my Uncle Ben told me before I went to fight Macho Man… I mean Bonesaw, in that cage match: “with great power comes great responsibly.”

If any of you are into football, you’re probably aware that the Dallas Cowboys beat the Washington Redskins Sunday in overtime. After the game there were a few heated words; not between the coaches, not between the players, but between one Washington wide receiver and one follower on Twitter.

Jabar Gaffney, in a nutshell, told a fan to kill himself. Words were flown around from one party to the other until finally Gaffney stated, “3-7 ain’t a record to be proud of I’m just proud I ain’t you get a life or kill urself.”

Ouch. You’re in the public eye there, buddy. I’m guessing this fan is grown up enough to know you were just being an epic fail, but what if he wasn’t? You’re payed (a lot) to play in a league where you have to represent that league in the best manner possible. Twitter is public. Word spreads. How do you think I know about it?

Now, there are some celebrities who do a good job with Twitter. I’m still waiting on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to come close to my city of residence so I could win a car. Even Justin Beiber uses his to proclaim to the world, “I’M SEXY AND I KNOW IT.” I still don’t know what to think of that one…

Bottom line, just be more aware, Mr. Celebrity.