At a time when anything mildly controversial brings out the “I’m sorry to those I offended,” reply, give Torrey Smith credit for being firm in his convictions.
The Ravens wide receiver doesn’t like most Patriots fans, it seems.
Smith has been going back and forth with New Englanders on Twitter for days, really months, going back to his emotional performance in September after the death of his brother in a motorcycle accident. But the recent volley, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, has taken it to the next level of internet fights.
When last September’s win over the Patriots was coupled with a playoff win in January, Smith said he got a load of insensitive messages.
“Played a lot of games since my brothers death and I never received as many rude tweets after a win than Sunday,” Smith wrote in January. “Yet NE fans cry about class.”
Of course, Smith’s not innocent of taunting, remarking that he was pulling for the Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Finals, and that: “I hate everything about NE except KG.” (Presumably that’s Kevin Garnett, unless he really respects the work of Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald).
That drew them out of their holes, and Smith continued, saying: “I understand that every Fan base has bad fans what I’m saying is NE fans have more than others and think they are better than everyone else.”
He also retweeted a photo someone sent him or a motorcycle arcade game, taunting him about his brother’s death.
That triggered what amounts to a screed:
“As much as I dislike MOST of the fan base I can honestly say that I respect the coaches and ownership,” he wrote. “Ok I’m done starting stuff before I get a phone call from our organization haha…no apologies I meant what I said. .. I’m done responding to fans who confirmed what I originally said…having 1 fan base out of 32 hate you isn’t bad…don’t need y’all see ya.”
He later pointed out he was ready to end the feud, saying: “The Mrs is mad at me for not taking the high road.”
The Mrs. is obviously unfamiliar with the Twitter, where the high road is generally the least-traveled.