A pair of Chargers players faced significant backlash for their call to San Diego fans.
Friday night, Melvin Ingram and Keenan Allen both tweeted to fans telling them to show up to games since the team is staying. While well-intentioned, it’s easy to argue that they came off as standoffish. Here’s just a small sampling of fans who felt the same way:
Staying in San Diego 4 another year..Every home game better be sold out..Charger blue everywhere Fans got what they wanted Now come support
— Melvin Ingram (@MelvinIngram) January 30, 2016
So it's looks like we are going to be in San Diego for another season. The stadium better be packed. The fans got what they wanted.
— Keenan Allen (@Keenan13Allen) January 30, 2016
Perhaps these messages were meant to rally the fanbase, but they both come off rather standoffish. The fans noticed, and were very loud and clear in their response: we were there all along, how about you win some games?
@MelvinIngram Are you going to win more than 4 games bruh?
— Israel Ibañez (@Iz77) January 30, 2016
@MelvinIngram might be kinda cool if y'all win more than 4 games though ?? I mean if you want fans to show up.
— Sandy Coronilla (@SandyCoro) January 30, 2016
@MelvinIngram I was there EVERY SINGLE GAME . I support u guys through thick and thin and this is how u say thanks to those of us who go ?
— Francisco Reyes (@Franking81Reyes) January 30, 2016
@Keenan13Allen Do you know how tone deaf you sound?
— david moye (@dmoyeweirdnews) January 30, 2016
@Keenan13Allen If you want to go to LA, be my guest. Its clear you dont love SD and dont know what the Chargers mean to this city
— Alan Ilitzky (@alan_ilitzky) January 30, 2016
@Keenan13Allen I hope ur kidding. Go ahead and blame fan support for losing seasons and injuries… Make the playoffs and watch what happens
— Kinger (@sdsu04life) January 30, 2016
@Keenan13Allen Wow. Shots fired at fans. Not a good thing to do. You must have wanted LA.
— #FireFabiani (@kevin_tugg) January 30, 2016
So, uh, in short, whoops. Bad idea, guys. This is just a small sampling of the responses that were lobbed their way. Both were quick to clarify their remarks upon seeing the torrent of angry tweets.
I would never questioned the fans commitment I kno there committed… My last tweet was saying now let's sell out every home game….
— Melvin Ingram (@MelvinIngram) January 30, 2016
Those last messages weren't shots at the fans. It was me keeping it real with what needs to happen in OUR stadium!
— Keenan Allen (@Keenan13Allen) January 30, 2016
The fact of the matter is the Chargers could sell out every game and make the playoffs, but none of it would matter if the team can’t get the deal it wants to build a new stadium in light of the agreement with the Rams.
