Mendenhall tells fans they need to be supportive

Posted by Michael David Smith

Pittsburgh running back Rashard Mendenhall wasn’t happy with the way some Steelers fans reacted to Thursday night’s loss to the Titans.

Mendenhall took to Twitter after the game and said that fans who are critical of their team shouldn’t be able to call themselves fans, because fans are supposed to be supportive. Mendenhall didn’t specify what he was reacting to, but he apparently wasn’t pleased that some fans had ripped him on Twitter after gaining just six yards on six carries before leaving the game with an Achilles injury.

Rashard Mendenhall ‏@R_Mendenhall

Seriously, if you're gonna talk trash about your team and everyone on it, don't call yourself a fan. A fan is a supporter...

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/12/rashard-mendenhall-tells-fans-they-need-to-be-supportive/
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Mendy, Mendy, Mendy ...

You of all people should know that fans have freedom of speech and should be able to speak what's on their minds.

Mendenhall isn't alone in thinking that fans should be cheerleaders and always be supportive and never criticize. I don't believe there's a right way to be a fan. Some fans are always supportive. Some always find something to bitch about. But they all love the team. That's what makes them fans. Expecting all fans to express themselves the same way is silly. Not gonna happen. Nor should it. Here's an idea ... you want us to cheer, give us something to cheer about.

With that said, I don't approve of fans saying ignorant, personal crap to players via social media. There's nothing wrong with giving them a little crap if it's deserved ... they should be able to take it. But I've seen a lot of fans say some pretty ignorant things to players on Twitter and Facebook. If you're one of those fans, knock it off.

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With that said, I don't approve of fans saying ignorant, personal crap to players via social media. There's nothing wrong with giving them a little crap if it's deserved ... they should be able to take it. But I've seen a lot of fans say some pretty ignorant things to players on Twitter and Facebook. If you're one of those fans, knock it off.

Totally agree, Wally. And yes, it is our right to play Monday morning quarterbacks and express our criticisms. I believe that the majority of these "fans" that tweet ignorant ramblings to the players are just plain ignorant in all facets of life. I also think that the Steelers have a lot of "bandwagon" fans. The same fans that will be cheering for another team if we have a couple of bad seasons. Mendy's right though....... when something or someone is down and out, they need more support than ever.

Wally you took the words straight outta my mouth!!!

I think it would be better if all the fans took a step back from the ledge (no matter what team they support) and realize that this is just a game and while we continue to criticize or brag about what our team does, in the end it's just a game.

As a fan, what pisses me off is the fact that I spend my hard earned money on tickets, paraphenilia, hotels, plane tickets, etc, and players give, what appears to be, half-hearted efforts on the field. I'm ok with a loss, but when I spend my money to come to a game, I do expect that they perform at a professional level, not a DIV III college, HS, or pee-wee league team.