College basketball player EJ Liddell tweeted screenshots of threats and hate messages he received from angry fans following his team’s early departure from the NCAA tournament on Friday.
Messages sent to the State of Ohio include racial slurs and direct threats of harm.
“Never show your face in Ohio,” wrote someone in one of the messages. “We hate you. I hope you die, I really do.”
“Honestly, what did I do to deserve this? I’m human,” Liddell tweeted alongside the images. “Comments don’t reach me, but I just want to know why. I never did anything for anyone in my life to be approached like that.”
Male basketball coach Chris Holtmann said in a tweet on Saturday morning that the messages sent to Liddell are “vile, dangerous and reflects the worst of humanity.“
The Buckeyes fell 75-72 in overtime for Oral Roberts in 15th place during the first round of the tournament, making Ohio State the ninth 2nd place in the history of the NCAA tournament to lose a game in the opening round, according to WCMH-TV , NBC affiliated in Columbus, Ohio.
Liddell was Ohio State’s top scorer and rebound this season. He scored 23 points and had 14 rebounds in Friday’s game, the news station reported.
“EJ is a remarkable young man who had an excellent second year season and was instrumental in the success of our team,” said Holtmann.
Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith told WCMH that the university’s sports department is working with Liddell to file a complaint with the campus police. The police will determine next steps and whether anyone else should be involved in any investigation, said Smith.
“The threatening social media attack that EJ Liddell faces after yesterday’s game is terrible and will not be tolerated. For the few of you who have chosen to inappropriately criticize our players on social media, stop” Smith said in a tweet on Saturday morning. “If you cross the line and threaten our players, you will hear the authorities. I promise that.”
