‘From a racism resistor to a racist troll. Helluva ride, Niners Nation…’
(Ben Sellers, Liberty Headlines) Some unhinged Bay Area leftists reacted as expected to the second-overall draft selection of Trump-supporting defensive end Nick Bosa by the San Francisco 49ers.
Disgraced ex-ESPN commentator and professional race-baiter Jemele Hill led the charge, calling the former Ohio State standout a white nationalist while maintaining that he was otherwise a worthy pick.
I never said it wasn’t, but I’m a little uncomfortable with someone who seems to be drawn to white nationalism. https://t.co/VVVoSOChNk
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) April 26, 2019
Others on Twitter echoed the sentiments, with SFGate compiling several of the reactions.
Some—including Hill—said they planned to switch their allegiances to one of the two Los Angeles NFL teams, the Chargers or the Rams. (The nearby Oakland Raiders are slated to move next year to Las Vegas).
Many connected the decision with the team’s benching of quarterback-turned-social-activist Colin Kaepernick in 2016.
From Colin Kaepernick to Nick Bosa in three years. From a racism resistor to a racist troll. Helluva ride, Niners Nation.
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) April 26, 2019
Anticipating the controversy after mock-drafts saw him going to San Francisco with the second pick, Bosa previously deleted tweets espousing right-wing positions, but a Twitter site called Resist Programming archived some of offending clips and screenshots.
My Nick Bosa, Joey Bosa, and John Bosa Threads
— Resist Programming 🛰 (@RzstProgramming) March 12, 2019
For his part, Bosa acknowledged that some of his past statements had been insensitive and said he had learned a lot over the past few months of scrutiny.
Nick Bosa on his past use of social media and coming to liberal area of country: “I love the Bay Area and I’m excited to play there. I was a little insensitive in some of the things I said. I’ve learned a lot in the past few months.” #49ers
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) April 26, 2019
Despite all the attacks on Bosa, many football fans and Trump fans also rushed to defend him.
Hill suggested on Twitter that she had received a lot of push-back for her criticisms, responding to a few of the tweets.
Again, point to the tweet where I said he wasn’t a great pick (spoiler alert: you can’t). That being said, I don’t have to like him. And it’s funny how I’m getting all these tweets about how his views don’t matter … where was that energy with Colin Kaepernick? https://t.co/0W2s6Emtlq
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) April 26, 2019