Earlier 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 1, 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 1, 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 1, 2012
.@kcchiefs probably best if you guys .didn’t tweet. Looks really bad
— Adam Frecks (@AFFrecks) December 1, 2012
@kcchiefs do you really think that’s appropriate right now?
— syrup (@syrup46892544) December 1, 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 1, 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 1, 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 1, 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 1, 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 1, 2012
