Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth should be basking in the excitement of heading to Super Bowl LVI and playing against his former team, the Cincinnati Bengals. But instead he’s on social media defending his wife after ex-49ers offensive lineman Joe Staley made fun of her online.
What is this, high school? Don’t adults have better things to do with their time?
Apparently not …
Melissa Whitworth posted a message to her Twitter account asking Rams fans who were interested in selling their tickets to the NFC championship game to not sell them to 49ers fans.
Staley, still loyal to the red and gold, apparently didn’t like that. He responded to Melissa Whitworth’s tweet, copying the text she used, but changing the final few words.
The Rams defeated the 49ers 20-17, and after the victory Whitworth took to his Instagram account to call out the six-time Pro Bowl member and three-time All-Pro.
“My guys who have played the @nfl game. Been in the trenches. Could you imagine trying to troll another players wife,” Whitworth posted Monday. “When you not even a player anymore? Having 49ers fans troll her all week. Sending her nasty crap. (Used) to respect this guy.
“This ain’t it! Could you imagine being an elite player to only become a fan who try’s to troll women or significant others of players. Life comes as at you fast! I’m who I am because this would never be me. I respect the game. The men who come after me and before me. Would never disrespect regardless of my cheerleader feelings. My children even know better than this. But that’s why I’m me. And he’s him!”
As responses go, it was direct and to the point. He has every right to come to his wife’s aid. It seems like this whole thing was much ado about nothing.
Where it gets crazy is when fans of the respective teams jump in the fray and try and get involved. This is the unfortunate reality of fan culture in the internet age. People saying crass things, making threats, etc. It’s the mob mentality for the digital age. It’s childish and very immature.
But we’ve encouraged that sort of behavior for centuries.
Whitworth wrapped up his post with a line that suggests it’s not over.
“Embarrassing for our game,” Andrew Whitworth continued in his Instagram post. “49ers fans can say anything they want ! Y’all can buy all the tickets you want to the super bowl! I would hope a legend of the game would leave a players wife out of it. Attack the woman tough guy! I’ll address that at a later date!”
However, according to Melissa Whitworth’s Twitter account, all is well with her husband and Staley. Perhaps they hashed it out.
Listen y’all they cool now everyone move on……. https://t.co/PRNBfnGRSn
— Melissa Whitworth (@mrs_whit77) February 1, 2022
The Rams take on the Bengals for the Super Bowl in L.A. on Sunday, Feb. 13. The Rams opened as the betting favorites at -4.5. The high-priced free agent acquisitions and signings of Von Miller, Jalen Ramsey, Odell Beckham Jr. and Matthew Stafford have them one game away from claiming the Lombardi Trophy.
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