Boy, Hunter Thomas of Foundation Disc Golf really stepped in it this time …
The dude had the audacity to poke fun at the fact that – without him knowing, for months on end, apparently – Catrina Allen had blocked him on Twitter. I know, I know – this is pretty raw stuff.
Wait when did this happen? 🤣 @AustinHannum pic.twitter.com/LalPC6sHeT
— Hunter Thomas (@FDG_Hunter_T) January 21, 2022
Here’s where things took an unexpected turn: Ricky Wysocki immediately chimed in, chiding FDG for being the “TMZ” of disc golf – and this isn’t the first time he’s done this, mind you …
Ricky’s made the same observation twice in the past few months.
Even Austin Hannum’s response to Hunter made it seem like he sided with Rick on this one:
She told me she blocked you like 11 months ago. She doesn’t put up with drama and trolls. She also doesn’t even have the Twitter app on her phone 🤷🏼♂️ https://t.co/VUi8W5SWEj
— Austin Hannum (@AustinHannum) January 22, 2022
Now that we’ve gotten the pre-pubescent “he said, she said” out of the way, let’s get to the meat of the matter on this thing: If you want to be a professional athlete, people will talk about you. For better or worse, you’ve got to be okay with it. Otherwise, brand yourself a hobbyist ..
You know, the thing most people think professional disc golfers actually are.
To further illustrate the point, consider a recent tweet fired off by the infamous Stephen A. Smith after the Green Bay Packers’ embarrassing, season-ending loss to the San Francisco 49ers:
Special teams has been a problem for @packers all year long and Matt LeFleur never fixed it. But I’m the end, it comes down to @AaronRodgers12. No matter the issues, the weather conditions or the opponent, you’re suppose to get it done. He DIdN’T. Just 10 pts? Unacceptable.#Bad
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) January 23, 2022
Mercifully, the tweet wasn’t “Hunter-level” harsh, but it’s close …
Aaron Rodgers didn’t (and won’t) comment on it, though – he’s busy doing other things:
- Winning a Super Bowl.
- Earning MVP honors – thrice.
- Holding more than 30 NFL records.
- Amassing a net worth of roughly $120 million.
Granted, I’ve had this chat with enough people enough times to know what’s coming:
“But Lucas, that’s football. Disc golf isn’t football. Don’t make it football.”
In the specific cases of Wysocki and Allen, wouldn’t it be brutally ironic if – come time for new, big-money contract negotiations – disc manufacturers dropped the exact same logic on them?
“But guys, that’s football money. Disc golf isn’t football. Don’t make it football.”
Lastly, do you know what the innate value of throwing a frisbee into a basket is?
Zero. Zilch. Nada.
The constant chatter disc golf’s top names appear to have an issue with is what fuels fanhood. But not just fanhood – disc sales, event attendance, social engagement, the sport’s growth, etc.
Or, as I like to call it, player salaries.
I want to hear y’all talk about how some elite pros want big money deals but whine when they’re the subject of speculation, opinion pieces, trivia games, or even criticism. Blows my mind. Imagine a future NFL star complaining about where he ends up on Kiper’s mock draft. So dumb.
— Hunter Greene (@TheBigBear12) January 22, 2022
The “good” of disc golf is that you toss a toy for a living. And in some cases, a fairly good one. The “bad” of disc golf, however, is that most touring pros will need a second job. Or will live at (or below) the poverty line. Or will sleep in a van. Or will dread not cashing at B-tier events.
If a Charmin-soft tweet is too much for you to handle, step aside …
Another professional disc golfer battling the sport’s “bad” will gladly take your place.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
