5 Oct, 2009
Twittering Banned in the NFL
TORONTO (Reuters) — North America's professional sports leagues are all a twitter over tweeting and have pushed through guidelines to ban player access to social networking sites during games.
Following the lead of the NFL and NBA, the NHL said it was close to making recommendations that will prohibit players from using communicational devices for social media activity -- including Twitter and Facebook -- 30 minutes before and after games, practices, meetings and media access periods.
The ban would extend to coaches, trainers and all game-related personnel.
"I looked at what the NBA was doing and what the NFL was doing and used those as a basis for my own recommendations,"
NHL director of social media marketing Mike Dilorenzo told Reuters on Thursday.
"We've drafted a set of guidelines that are in the process of being vetted by the senior management so they can be rolled out to the teams."
The NBA sent a memo to teams on Wednesday informing them that coaches, players and other basketball operations personnel would be forbidden from accessing social media sites from 45 minutes before tipoff until after the post-game media availability.
The Miami Heat and the Toronto Raptors are among a number of NBA teams that have been even tougher on tweeters.
Raptors head coach Jay Triano has banned the use of smartphones and laptops from practice, including all management staff and media. Even general manager Bryan Colangelo is required to leave the facility to respond to text messages.
The attempt by the leagues to gain control over the Twitter phenomenon comes after a number of controversial tweets.
While coaches worry reckless tweets may provide inspirational bulletin board material for opposing teams, leagues are working to protect broadcast rights holders from tweeters getting too close to play-by-play.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Terrell Owens has engaged in a couple of explosive twitter feuds this season involving former Dallas Cowboys team mate Tony Romo and Rodney Harrison.
Earlier this season little-known Washington Redskins backup linebacker Robert Henson labeled booing fans "dim-wits" before apologizing and shutting down his Twitter account.
James 1:19 (NIV)
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
What Does God Think About It?
Once again the world of technology makes the news. While no one can argue that the super fast world of texting and twittering has its benefits, not many discuss its potential harmfulness.
It has become such an issue in the world of professional football that the commisioner has had to issue a ban from using it before and after a game. Why?
Many NFL stars have twittered before and after a game with explosive language either directed at fans or specific players causing either disunity among their team or motivation for the other team in their upcoming contests.
As Christians, we need to realize that just because we think something we don't have to say it out loud. This is especially true now that the whole world can view it. We must think before we act. Being quick to listen means we consider what God would have us do before we say (or text) or do anything. By testing our actions to whether they build others up will often protect our reputations but more importantly will be what is right before God.
- Think about some times recently that you have said or did things that have not been encouraging to others. Ask God's forgiveness and the people you might have offended.
- Evaluate your conversations both verbally and electronic (facebook, texting, twittering, etc...). Are you slow to speak and quick to listen? Or do you just let the words flow out without caution?
- Try and listen to others more intentley this week. Slow your mind down and truly try and listen to others perspectives. This is often very difficult to do. Try and listen more than you speak. This should be an eye opening experience!
- Look to have more "face to face" conversations where you can practice this and work on both verbal and non-verbal communication. Be encouraging to others and notice how this might bring out a change in the way they respond to you.
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