ESPN reporter Adam Schefter drew sharp criticism over questionable framing in his reporting on the tragic death of Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins.
Now, it seems Schefter's callous tweet has cost him thousands of followers.
The longtime NFL insider had lost 11,000 followers in about two days since publishing a tweet that described Haskins as "a standout at Ohio State before struggling to catch on with Washington and Pittsburgh in the NFL," Awful Announcing reported on Monday.
Schefter's tactless tweet was subsequently deleted.
But it seems the damage was done, at least for a percentage of Schefter's 11 million followers.
Related
The development was noted in an article dealing with Schefter's checkered track record, aptly titled "What's the deal with Adam Schefter?"
As the piece notes, Schefter has been called out several times for a variety of questionable moves, including a dubious tweet reporting on court proceedings involving Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. Schefter later apologized for his "poorly worded" post.
Late last year, Schefter was criticized after he revealed he had allowed former Washington Commanders executive Bruce Allen to edit his reports before submitting them for publication. Schefter also admitted that he "could have done a better job" reporting on a domestic violence case involving Vikings running back Dalvin Cook after uncritically tweeting only Cook's version of events.
The Awful Announcing article lays out these and a litany of other ethical lapses by Schefter, many specific to his high-follower Twitter account.
Though 11,000 followers is barely a blip for the league's preeminent scoop-getter, author Sean Keeley says the mass unfollowing raises further questions about whether the gaffe-prone Schefter's position is tenable long-term, even though he recently signed a rich contract extension with The Worldwide Leader.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram