College baseball player dismissed for offensive tweet

Bloomsburg University (Pennsylvania) baseball player Joey Casselberry was dismissed from the team this weekend after using Twitter to make an inappropriate remark about Little League star Mo’ne Davis.

Casselberry was criticizing Disney for making a movie about the 13-year-old Davis, who last year garnered national attention for her performance in the Little League World Series.

Casselberry posted this tweet (offensive term redacted):

 

Some might argue the post doesn’t warrant Casselberry’s removal from the team, but the redacted word is worse than you might think. Before deactivating his Twitter account, Casselberry posted an apology.

“An example that one stupid tweet can ruin someone’s life and I couldn’t be more sorry about my actions last night,” he wrote. “I please ask you to…. Forgive me and truly understand that I am in no way shape or form a sexist and I am a huge fan of Mo’ne. She was quite an inspiration.”

Davis has since asked the university to reconsider Casselberry’s dismissal. According to the report, Bloomsburg said it respects Davis’ opinion and praises her for her maturity, but it’s “standing firm” on the decision.

As Casselberry noted after the fact, this illustrates the dangers of social media and what student-athletes risk by posting inappropriate material. Just another reason why athletic programs should have social media guidelines for athletes and coaches.