@kcchiefs are you guys really tweeting pictures of random game photos after one of your players just committed suicide??
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Greg Davis Jr. (@Klarity_) December 01, 2012Earlier today, linebacker Jovan Belcher of the Kansas City Chiefs reportedly shot his girlfriend before committing suicide. At 1:00 p.m. ET, the team’s Twitter account sent out this tweet:
The Chiefs are still scheduled to play the Panthers tomorrow.
Here’s the “Photo of the Day” that accompanied the tweet:
Who felt it was a good time in KC to tweet ANYTHING!? RT @kcchiefs Photo of the Day – PANTHER CRUNCH – ow.ly/i/1b9fd—
Marcel Picard (@marcelpicard) December 01, 2012
The tweet was quickly and quietly deleted. Was it a scheduled tweet?
Scheduled auto tweet? RT @kcchiefs: Photo of the Day – PANTHER CRUNCH – ow.ly/i/1b9fd
More Photos – ow.ly/fEuQU—
Steve Giglio (@stevegiglio) December 01, 2012
If so, hopefully the Chiefs’ social media team has scheduled tweets turned off now. Although the Chiefs clearly have today’s tragedy occupying their minds right now, many fans were appalled.
Not a good look for the @kcchiefs account with their photo tweet. It's probably scheduled and a lot going on, but still not a good look.—
David Lesky (@DBLesky) December 01, 2012
.@kcchiefs probably best if you guys .didn't tweet. Looks really bad—
Adam Frecks (@AFFrecks) December 01, 2012
@kcchiefs do you really think that's appropriate right now?—
syrup (@syrup46892544) December 01, 2012
@kcchiefs how can you tweet photos promoting tomorrow's game right now? That's pathetic. Whoever runs your Twitter account should be fired.—
Colby Higgins (@Colby_Higgins) December 01, 2012
@kcchiefs seriously? Horrific Tragedy Today and you send this out.Take a break. Coming from a family that has season tickets since 1968!—
Chicago Beer Company (@ChicagoBeerCo) December 01, 2012
Bad taste tweet of the day: RT @kcchiefs: Photo of the Day – PANTHER CRUNCH – ow.ly/i/1b9fd
More Photos – ow.ly/fEuQU—
Harry Hawkins (@HarryHawkins) December 01, 2012
Update:
While immediate reaction was not very forgiving, some Twitter users are a lot more understanding.
@TwitchyTeam I think it's terribly unfair to castigate #Chiefs for tweets they likely created & scheduled to auto-tweet before tragedy—
Seculuminesce (@L_Allen_) December 01, 2012
@TwitchyTeam I'm sure it was a scheduled tweet, and I'm sure twitter was the LAST thing on their minds today. @kcchiefs deserve a pass here.—
Karyn Boothe (@karynboothe) December 01, 2012