It was a rough start to the season for San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert on Sunday, as he only had two carries before he left the game with a knee injury.
But that paled in comparison to what he and his wife, Devon, faced on social media.
Devon posted a message on her Instagram story early Monday morning detailing the hate messages she received about her husband.
“As if today wasn’t hard enough, to get on here and have dms about how my husband should kill himself, about how he should be cut, about how he’s made of glass,” she wrote. “I know I shouldn’t care but wow. Wow wow wow.”
Devon continued: “The nasty things some of you just carelessly say is gut wrenching. I don’t think y’all get it. Football is my husband’s job. It’s how my family EATS. To read such HEARTLESS and degrading comments about theperson I LOVE hurts. And I try so hard to shake them off…I do. But when there’s HUNDEREDS, THOUSANDS. It’s a lot. He does EVERYTHING TO STAY ON THAT FIELD, EVERYTHING! Sacrifices off days with his kids to get treatment/adjustments, dietician check-ins, you name it!
“R’s gonna be good. He always comes abck stronger. MRI tomorrow will let us know the severity. Praying for MINOR!”
Devon thanked those who sent positive notes and prayers but was clearly shaken by the messages she received.
The social media age has certainly made it easier for the average fan to connect and engage with athletes, but it also has made it easier for fans to direct vile, nasty comments and threats toward players anonymously.
Mostert is not the first to receive messages like this and, unfortunately, won’t be the last but it is clearly a side of the game not many people see that can take an emotional toll on athletes and their families.
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