One expensive tweet: NFL receiver set to be fined for breaking League's social media policy
Always humble and extremely low-key Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Terrell Owens admitted that he violated the National Football League’s social media policy by sending a tweet too close to the start of a game.
NFL rules forbid players from using social media like Twitter or Facebook during a game or 90 minutes before one starts. T.O. sent his tweet during the Bengals’ pre-game warm ups.
An hour before a 24-21 loss to Tampa Bay, the receiver sent a tweet from Paul Brown Stadium that he said was part of his work with a charity that helps children in Kenya.
"A lucky fan wearing my jersey 2day will get a signed football by Me & Ocho Cinco! My asst will pick U out!! Good luck!" he tweeted.
Owens said he intended to post the tweet earlier in the day, but he left his home late and forgot to take his cellphone with him. He said he had an assistant bring his cellphone to Paul Brown Stadium.
"I got the tweet out a little late," he said.
Although T.O. hasn’t been fined yet and the NFL says they are still only investigating, it’s pretty much an open and shut case, especially with T.O. admitting the infraction.
And it looks like his charitable action is going to cost him big — teammate Chad Ochocinco was fined $25,000 for a similar incident last season when he sent several Twitter updates throughout a game against the Philadelphia Eagles (“two Bugati payments” is how Ochocinco referred to the fine). Owens’ infraction was only a single tweet, so he may receive a lesser penalty.
Either way, a Cincinnati Bugati dealer may have to wait a little while before he gets his money from Terrell Owens...
