Ohio State striker EJ Liddell responded to two angry fans who he said sent threatening messages after the Buckeyes left the NCAA tournament on Friday, writing in part on his Twitter account: “What did I do to deserve that? I’m human. “
Liddell and runner-up Buckeyes fell 75-72 in overtime to 15th Oral Roberts in the first major tournament turnaround in two years.
After that, he shared images of messages he said he received from two disgruntled fans, including one who threatened to find him and physically attack him.
Another fan wrote to Liddell: “You are a disgrace. Never show your face in Ohio. We hate you. I hope you die, I really do.”
“The comments don’t reach me, but I just want to know why,” wrote Liddell on Twitter. “I never did anything for anyone in my life to be approached like that.
“That’s not me saying anything negative about Ohio State fans. I love you all so much and I haven’t felt anything but appreciated since the first day I set foot on campus.”
Former Buckeye star Jared Sullinger was among those who supported Liddell, writing that some people “don’t see you as a human anymore as entertainment.”
“Keep being the young man you are, brother,” wrote Sullinger to Liddell. “I’m proud of you. Use these messages to fuel your fire.”
Second-year Liddell had 23 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Buckeyes, who were runners-up in the Big Ten tournament and entered the first round game on Friday as 16-point favorites.