Brady, Edelman and Garth break social media this past weekend

I have a love hate relationship with social media. Maybe you feel the same way? I’m grateful that thousands of people see my Sports Chowdah content on Facebook and Twitter every month. And I will admit I like to post pics of my kids now and then. Otherwise I largely hate the frighteningly massive role social media plays in our modern lives.

My buddy Aaron Jackson and I were debating a bit this weekend, ironically on social media, if we live in the dumbest era of American history. Or have we always been surround by stupidity but now people just have platforms to share their ignorance?

Case in point: Social media exploded this weekend when Garth Brooks wore a Sanders jersey on stage. A fair share of country music loving good ol boys lost their moon shining minds over the idea that Garth would support Bernie Sanders. They swore to not listen to his music any longer and burn his CD’s. Garth supporters had not been this mad in a coons age, or at least since that Garth Brooks/Chris Gaines debacle 20 years ago.

Some examples:

“G is a Democrat socialist!”
“Sanders???? WTF Garth???”
“If this is for Bernie Sanders, I’m done with you. I thought you were a true American that loves Our Country?”
“Weird. That a millionaire would like a socialist. Hey Garth are you going to distribute your millions?”
“Sanders is a foolish , crazy socialist!”
“Good grief. Can’t you just do what you get paid to do ???? Why why why does it have to involve politics !!! So sad. We don’t pay good money for anything other than to watch you perform.”

Rest assured Garth’s friends in low places can still sleep easily as Mr. Brooks was actually wearing a Barry Sanders jersey at a show in Detroit.

Years ago this story would have amounted to nothing. But with so many platforms today to share our instant outrage, this became a legit news story within hours. It’s not the only example from this weekend.

My Twitter feed in particular was busting at its digital seams with the video of Tom Brady and Julian Edelman at a college basketball game Saturday. Jules looks at the camera and says “He’ll be back!” obviously referring to TB 12. Tommy doesn’t seem too impressed, shoots Edelman a look, then says something we cant hear.

Now everyone with a phone or I-pad becomes an instant expert at lipreading while the media analyzes this footage as if it were a modern Zapruder film. (I’m tempted to explain this reference to the above quoted Garth fans, but will pass.)

What does TB 12 say? “No he won’t” “This guy” or something else? Only Edelman and maybe Jimmy Fallon know for sure. But the idea that Brady might have given a hint he is leaving New England was almost more than even social media could handle.

Whatever he said, we can for sure see the clip shared, liked and over analyzed on social media for the next few days. Or until we get blasted with the next nonsensical social media thing that “trends.” Until then I’m going to scour the internet for good deals on some used Garth CD’s.

Jeff Solari

About Jeff Solari

Jeff Solari is the president and founder of the Sports Chowdah, Maine’s only free, weekly sports e mail newsletter. Recently, the Mount Desert Island native was the co-host of "The Drive" on 92.9 FM in Bangor.