Ohio has reached the state police after EJ Liddell received threatening messages after a 75-72 overtime loss to the 2-seed Buckeyes in the first round of the 2021 NCAA tournament to No. 15 Oral Roberts. ESPN’s Myron Medal.
Posted by Liddell Screenshots of social media messages He received many fans on Friday. The messages included racist and homophobic slurs and threats of physical violence.
One fan wrote, “You detest such insults.” “Never show your face at Ohio State. We hate you. I hope you die. I really do.”
In response to the messages, Liddell tweeted, “Honestly, what have I done to deserve this? I’m human.” He said that he “had never done anything to anyone in my life to be approached in this way.”
This is not telling me anything negative about Ohio State fans. I love all of you very much and I applauded from the very first day I stepped on campus, but did nothing.
– EJ Liddell (@ EasyE2432) March 20, 2021
Ohio State athletic director Jean Smith issued a statement on Saturday, saying the message Liddell received was “horrifying and will not be tolerated.”
“Some of you have improperly chosen to rail against our players on social media,” Smith said. “Hatred and ridicule has no place in the rest of the nation or in civilized society. If you cross the line and threaten our players, you will hear from the authorities. I promise you.”
I will support our student-athletes in and out of the competition!
I have nothing but love and respect for EJ. He hopes for our student-athletes. pic.twitter.com/BxejMWvo1x
– Jean Smith (@OSU_AD) March 20, 2021
Buckeyes coach Chris Holtman also Issued a statement on saturday.
“Recent social media comments from Ohio State fans, not from Ohio State fans, are dangerous, and dangerous,” Holtmann said. “EJ is an outstanding young man who had a tremendous Seymour season and was instrumental in the success of our team.
“We will take necessary action at the university to address this immediately.”
Liddell had a team-high 23 points, 14 rebounds and five assists in 39 minutes against the Golden Eagles. Oral Roberts’ victory marked just the ninth time in NCAA tournament history that the No. 15 seed beat the No. 2 seed.
Leave a Reply