Late in the fourth quarter of Saturday night’s game between Penn State and Michigan — a prime-time “Whiteout” — Wolverines wide receiver Ronnie Bell dropped the potential game-tying touchdown.
Michigan WR Ronnie Bell lets the game pass between his hands on this 4th-down incompletion with 2 minutes left #MICHvPSU pic.twitter.com/qtrF27sYxU
— Kevin Boilard (@247KevinBoilard) October 20, 2019
Given today’s social media climate, it should come as little surprise that Michigan fans were less than kind to not only Bell, but also his family members. And in addition to the usual attacks via Twitter and Facebook, some fans took it upon themselves to send extremely disrespectful e-mails to Bell’s father.
— Aaron Bell (@abellboys) October 20, 2019
ESPN college football analyst and former Ohio State quarterback Kirk Herbstreit, who routinely praises Penn State and their fans, took exception to what Michigan fans were doing and decided to rip into them on Twitter.
To the so called @UMichFootball “fans” (Vocal minority) bashing Ronnie Bell. Kid plays for “your” team..battles his ass off ALL night..has an unfortunate drop late and you decide to crush him??? What the hell is WRONG WITH YOU?
Unfortunate aspect of twitter-gives idiots a voice!— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) October 20, 2019
In the least surprising thing ever, sour Wolverines fans then re-directed their anger from Bell to Herbstreit, who continued to land haymakers.
Yet your dumbass follows me. #BeatIt https://t.co/G09MCgOMzU
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) October 20, 2019
Social media brings out the worst in people, so hats off to Herbstreit for taking them to task over a game.
Bell is obviously going to struggle with his drop for quite some time — it may never leave him — so there’s nothing angry fans can say that he’s not already thinking. But it must be nice to have someone like Herbstreit in his corner to help deflect some of the venom being spewed in his direction.
