Jon Lester warns athletes about social media use

Chicago Cubs pitcher Jon Lester on Monday issued a warning to young athletes about the way they use their public social media profiles.

Lester urged athletes to scrub their accounts or, “better yet, don’t say stupid things in the first place.” Social media can present a variety of problems for athletes, especially those at the lower levels where their careers may be more vulnerable.

Over the last month alone, Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Josh Hader, Atlanta Braves pitcher Sean Newcomb and Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner have come under fire after years-old homophobic and racially insensitive comments were discovered on Twitter. None of the players faced punishment for their actions, but their reputations undoubtedly suffered.

Here is what Lester had to say on Twitter:

Listen I’m far from the sharpest tool in the shed and there’s certainly no halo above my head (pardon the rhyme) but I know some of these guys are great dudes who just had lapses in judgement.

— Jon Lester (@JLester34) July 30, 2018

Social media use is growing issue in college and high school sports. Several NCAA Division I coaches say posts on Facebook or Twitter have caused them to walk away from talented athletes. Some say they even monitor social media pages of a recruit’s parents.

In June, Nebraska football coach Scott Frost told a group of young campers that social media is their “résumé to the world.” Others like Cubs manager Joe Maddon, NFL star J.J. Watt and former Arkansas football coach Bret Bielema have made similar statements.

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