Iowa State coach warns recruits about profane tweets

DK McDonald, the team’s defensive backs coach, took to Twitter recently to say that the university walked away from a recruiting target after seeing the things he was saying on social media. Here is what McDonald had to say:

Recruits: We just rejected a recruit due to his tweet. Reminder don't cuss, use the N-Word, middle finger or disrespect women on twitter!!!

— DK McDonald (@DKMcDonald1) April 11, 2017

Recruits: Please remember that you represent the name on the front & the name on the back of the jersey. –@Coach_Heacock

— DK McDonald (@DKMcDonald1) April 12, 2017

Recruits: Remember the old saying: We have TWO ears, TWO eyes & ONE mouth for a reason. Listen & observe TWICE as much as you TALK!

— DK McDonald (@DKMcDonald1) April 13, 2017

Recruits: Remember one of the 1st steps to being treated like an adult is to act like one!

— DK McDonald (@DKMcDonald1) April 18, 2017

At least once a year, an athlete is either rejected or kicked off a program due to things they’ve said or done on social media. In 2015, a college baseball player was booted from the team after using Twitter to criticize 13-year-old Little League pitcher Mo’ne Davis. Administrators also have been punished over their comments on social networks.

J.J. Watt has said, “Read each tweet 95 times before sending.” Another good rule of thumb is not to say anything on social media you wouldn’t say in a classroom, to parents or directly to coaches. Somebody is always watching.

Schools that don’t have social media guidelines should consider creating a policy for their program. Here are some tips.

(H/T USA Today)

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