Michigan punter Blake O’Neill had what will hopefully be the worst day of his football career Saturday when he infamously fumbled a snap that allowed Michigan State to score a game-winning touchdown.
Leading 23-21 with just 10 seconds remaining, Michigan was set to punt on 4th-and-2. The snap was a bit low, and O’Neill was unable to handle it. When he scrambled to try to kick it away, he fumbled it right into the arms of a Michigan State player. You can see the play here.
It was easily one of the most painful losses in football history. Not surprisingly, many Michigan fans didn’t know how to handle it. Some of them took things way too far on Twitter by sending O’Neill death threats and hate messages.
@blakewoneill kill yourself you just cost us the game and any chance at a national title go back to austrailia and play soccer you bum!!
— Brandon (@Giantzfan24) October 17, 2015
Hope you know half of Michigan wants to kill you @blakewoneill
— Nassib Habhab (@HabhabNassib) October 17, 2015
@blakewoneill hope you die and burn in hell, you're the WOAT.
— Jojo Green (@jojoogreen) October 17, 2015
@blakewoneill go die
— Tony Pajamas (@MarianoRobinson) October 18, 2015
i got his @ name its @blakewoneill send him all the hate
— Jordon Brandon (@Jbrandon215) October 17, 2015
@blakewoneill
I HATE YOU.
please transfer.
Sincerely, all Michigan fans
— Justin⚾️ (@Justin_Drain1) October 17, 2015
@blakewoneill Die you sorry excuse for a punter
— Tarik Shalhout (@shalhout22) October 17, 2015
Don't go to school on Monday @blakewoneill
— logan wiest (@LoganWiest) October 17, 2015
Sadly, this is a narrative we have seen too many times. Arizona fans were ruthless in going after their kicker when he missed a field goal last year, and there were plenty more examples before that.
The good news is that for every idiot, there were several people who had words of encouragement for O’Neill.
@blakewoneill Keep your head up. Game of field possession and you pinned them deep several times. #HAIL #keptusinthegame
— Steve Wilson (@Toobitz) October 18, 2015
@blakewoneill Keep your head up. Don't let keyboard warriors on Twitter bring you down. You'll bounce back. Don't let this define you.
— Royce O'Bannion (@IrishMob2015) October 18, 2015
It's sad to think that such a great guy received death threats over a mistake. Leave @blakewoneill alone. Great guy, even better punter
— Eagle Wings (@EagleWingsUSA) October 18, 2015
@blakewoneill keep your head up bro! Don't listen to the idiots sitting in their parents basement with no life. True UM fans will show love
— Brandon (@bgardner19) October 18, 2015
It’s only a game, folks.
