Fans, Facebook, frustration: No need for apology
IOWA CITY (MCT) — Trey Stross dropped three passes Saturday, including a possible touchdown. Monday, he dropped the invisible wall between athlete and fan.
Two days after the Hawkeyes’ 27-24 overtime loss at Ohio State, the senior wide receiver from Avon Lake, Ohio, apologized to fans through his Facebook.com account. He also alluded to some harsh e-mails he’d received.
“Trey Stross on the best team in the nation, w/the best fan base, thanx for all the support every1, after 30+ games I had the worst game of my career&it’s a shame that it was against OSU I really APOLOGIZE, I tried my best & it just didn’t come to me.”
The topic didn’t sit well with Coach Kirk Ferentz and Stross’ teammates during Tuesday’s news conference.
“I was asked if he should feel the need to apologize to fans,” offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga said. “Not at all. He shouldn’t have to do that. The fans don’t deserve an apology from him.
“He’s been here for five years, and he’s worked hard and played in a lot of big games and big plays. He doesn’t need to apologize to anybody.”
Social media, including Facebook and Twitter, have become a conflict in sports in the last year.
The Kansas City Chiefs released running back Larry Johnson over a gay slur he made on Twitter. Some leagues have tried to ban players from using Twitter.
Ferentz is not a fan, telling The Gazette this summer, “You never say never, but if you see me with a Twitter account, just hit me with a baseball bat. Go ahead, take a whack at me.” Tuesday, he was asked about Stross’ Facebook apology.
“I wouldn’t recommend that,” Ferentz said. “I don’t understand the phenomenon quite frankly. I don’t know why people go on that. But I also understand I’m 54 and not 20.
“I don’t see any benefit of going on that stuff (social media), but we live in America.”
In the first quarter, Stross dropped what would have been a touchdown pass from freshman quarterback James Vandenberg. In the second, Stross dropped one that would have gone for a 13-yard gain and a first down.
In the third, Stross dropped what would have been a tough catch at OSU’s 1.
“You have to feel for him now,” ABC play-by-play announcer Sean McDonough said during the telecast. “He’s like a putter with the yips.”
Hawkeyes receivers dropped five or six passes Saturday in Iowa’s second straight loss after a 9-0 start. Stross also addressed heated e-mails he received. Players’ e-mail addresses are easily accessible.
