Dexter Fowler isn’t backing down, nor should he after a simple comment responding to how President Trump’s failed travel ban affected his family in a story turned into a hate-fest for St. Louis Cardinals fans.
Fowler’s wife is from Iran, which was one of the seven Muslim-majority countries in the travel ban that was blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. USA TODAY had an article on Fowler’s one quote, which first appeared on ESPN, regarding the travel ban.
This is all Fowler said on President Trump’s executive order.
“It’s huge. Especially anytime you’re not able to see family, it’s unfortunate,”
(Dexter Fowler)
That made some Cardinals fans angry. Here’s just a sample of what some of them had to say about Fowler.
You can see more here.
Fowler addressed the reactions from some Cardinals fans on Twitter, but on Monday he was asked again by a reporter. In the following video, you’ll listen to Fowler saying that in part an article headline used on Facebook was at fault for the reactions. But Fowler also called people ignorant for jumping to conclusions and attacking him, while never bothering to read the story.
Remember, all Fowler said was, “It’s huge. Especially anytime you’re not able to see family, it’s unfortunate.”
“I think it’s kind of ignorant of people to come at me like that and not read the article.” -Dexter Fowler (video via Mark Saxon) pic.twitter.com/CowcmWkCZU
— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) February 20, 2017
Here’s the USA TODAY headline:
The story was updated, so I’m not sure if that was the original headline, however the angry mob of comments came from a Cardinals fan page on Facebook that used a different source.
So, let’s go to the Facebook page, St. Louis Cardinals True Fans, where the hate-filled comments came from. Here’s the article posted to the page, coming from 12UP.com.
Yup, that’s one hell of a click-bait headline, something Sports Mockery frowns upon. (You laughed, admit it) That doesn’t mean you’re not a dumbass because you automatically assumed something that wasn’t. And yes, going off some of the comments, you’re damn right people didn’t bother to read the article, otherwise this wouldn’t have been the reaction.
Yeah, how dare Dexter Fowler talk about his family. It’s obvious that whoever linked that article to the fan page either doesn’t know what outspoken means, or didn’t read the article.
So by now you’d think Cardinals fans would slow down with the whole, “you’re property of the team,” garbage, but no. This breed is special.
— Baseball's Best Fans (@BestFansStLouis) February 20, 2017
— Baseball's Best Fans (@BestFansStLouis) February 20, 2017
By the way, there is some confusion on the @BestFansStLouis Twitter account. You might think the account is supporting the hideous things said by Cardinals fans, but that’s the joke. It’s a parody account to show just how awful some of their fans are, despite always claiming to be the best fans in baseball.
Finally, the lesson is clear. Always read the article before commenting.
UPDATE:
So, not sure who’s in charge of all these pages, but the exact same story was posted on “Chicago Cubs True Fans” on Facebook and yes there were also awful comments.
.@BestFansStLouis pic.twitter.com/aAsAygAtra
— Double Birds (@2xBirds) February 19, 2017
To those Cubs fans, fuck you too.