I hope the Grothe thread taught everyone...

[Jamie]

something about how powerful message boards can be. This kind of gossip, rumor-mongering, and hearsay is DANGEROUS. Say something negative if you want - just make sure it's true. You have no idea what kind of trouble you can start by passing on secondhand information. Especially since both of the major beat writers read this board and I'm sure at least one of them wouldn't hesitate to look into something if it sounds like a good story.

[Brad]

Not to start a rumor Jamie, but I heard Brett registered at USFBS.com.  

[windbane]

If you hear about some rumor of a football player, don't freaking post it on here.  What is wrong with you people?  I'm sure a lot of players from all sports do things that could get them into trouble, but we don't need to be reporting all of them.

"Hey, I heard a rumor that a player accepted a $10 shirt.  Isn't that an NCAA violation?!!  Shouldn't we get rid of our most important player!??!!"  Yeah, way to be a fan.  Good grief.

Most importantly, the story was bogus anyway!

Oh, and stop reading facebook for "news."

[gobulls83]

"Hey, I heard a rumor that a player accepted a $10 shirt.  Isn't that an NCAA violation?!!  Shouldn't we get rid of our most important player!??!!"  Yeah, way to be a fan.  Good grief.

So being a fan means overlooking rule infractions or not caring if they happen?

[USF_Bill]

No... fans root for their team and leave the rule infractions up to the people who are responsible for investigating them. If anything occurred that was a problem, Brett would be on it like flies on $hit.

[crambone]

wow...this thread is quite possibly the most pointless one posted since I've registered on this site.  You guys are jumping all over this like someone posted goatse on the Teletubbies' message board.

If that had been a rumor about anyone else, that thread would not have not have gotten that far, nor would you people have cared one iota about it.

If someone messes up and posts something that lies in a "grey" area, the mod (not someone who was personally offended) should PM the poster(s) (because the thread starter was not the only one to "spread rumors" as you people call it), close the thread in question, and make a new general rule.

Pointing fingers and calling people out is not only counter-productive, but it shows an immense lack of tact.

[windbane]

"Hey, I heard a rumor that a player accepted a $10 shirt.  Isn't that an NCAA violation?!!  Shouldn't we get rid of our most important player!??!!"  Yeah, way to be a fan.  Good grief.

So being a fan means overlooking rule infractions or not caring if they happen?

I'm saying that a $10 shirt shouldn't be worried about.  Nor should bartending.

[Guest]

something about how powerful message boards can be. This kind of gossip, rumor-mongering, and hearsay is DANGEROUS. Say something negative if you want - just make sure it's true. You have no idea what kind of trouble you can start by passing on secondhand information. Especially since both of the major beat writers read this board and I'm sure at least one of them wouldn't hesitate to look into something if it sounds like a good story.

Jamie... methinks you give far more credit than is deserved here...

Sure, message boards are great places to gauge the general tenor of the fan base... as the most vocal supporters and critics tend to be the ones who post here...

However, most rational people understand that when participation is free and open, you tend to get more yahoos, than board where members have to pay money for the privilege of posting (or even reading in some cases).

And yes, the media (and the administration and probably the players) read message boards.  Often, they can be sources of inspiration for what might be an interesting story... they also can be a good picture of what topics are in demand... reporters have direct access because fans can't do the same level of reporting not can the administration provide that much access to that many people...

But just as Mama_Bull suggested... we all must consider the source of the information.  How reliable is the person posting the "news"?  How reliable are his/her sources?  How direct or indirect is the poster's connections?  If you or I or Brad posted something, it might have a little more gravitas than a brand new person who has never posted before.  Give them a little credit before saying that any wild rumor will suddenly become major fodder for the newspapers.

After all, even Brett waits until there is an official arrest report available. ;-)

[Guest JulmisteForPrez]

No joke.....

Message boards are fun and all, but some of you guys act like U.S. foreign policy is based upon what Bulls fans write on these threads.

:

Get a grip, ladies & gents!!!

[flsportsfan83]

WOW Brett gets bashed for something he had nothing to do with.... amazing