STEVENS POINT (WAOW) - Monday night's controversial call at the Packers-Seahawks
game created a social media firestorm.
Fans, commentators and players took to Twitter and
Facebook to voice their opinions. Communications experts say it's proof the
Internet is changing the way we interact.
According to one social media search engine, there have
been close to 150,000 tweets about the Packers in the past 24 hours. Many of
them were about Monday Night Football's controversial call.
Social media professionals say that response is proof the
communication world is changing.
"That conversation is going to happen whether you are
involved or not," said Andrew Stoner, assistant communications professor at
UW-Stevens Point. He said Twitter and Facebook are impacting relationships
between fans, players, and NFL officials.
"People didn't wait to go to work tomorrow to complain
about it," said Stoner. "They were tweeting about it last night for certain as
soon as it happened, as soon as the game ended."
And sites like Twitter have given players a platform for
their opinions, too. For example.. Packers offensive lineman T.J. Lang started
tweeting just minutes after the game ended, writing, "Any player/coach in
Seattle that really thinks they won that game has zero integrity as a man and
should be embarrassed."
Lang also posted several expletives and dared the NFL to
fine him.
The results of social media are immediate. Stoner said such a direct response
can have benefits and drawbacks.
"Once it's out there, it's out there, and you have to own
it," said Stoner.
Just like the league has to own up, too.
