Seahawks DE Michael Bennett tweets of ‘boycott’ against Seattle Times
May 21, 2017, 2:50 PM | Updated: 3:17 pm
Michael Bennett tweeted Sunday that he will no longer be speaking with The Seattle Times. (AP)
(AP)
In apparent retaliation for a column, Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett tweeted Sunday that he will “boycott” The Seattle Times for the rest of his career and will encourage his teammates not to speak to the Seattle paper of record as well.
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In response to a column by Matt Calkins titled “Seahawks’ Michael Bennett does great things, but why the immaturity?“, Bennett tweeted “My boycott has just started against you guys.” Bennett followed three minutes later with another tweet: “I will never talk to seattle times the rest of my career n will encourage my teammates to do the same”.
Calkins’ commentary discusses the off-the-field philanthropy and antics of the Seahawks’ 31-year-old Pro Bowler. That includes Bennett’s charitable giving and outspoken nature on social issues, as well as a controversial outburst at a reporter following the team’s playoff loss to Atlanta and a recent feud with “First Take” pundit Stephen A. Smith over free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
“His aspirations are incredibly noble. But sometimes his behavior is incredibly childish,” Calkins wrote. “Bennett has to make a choice on who he really wants to be. He clearly knows the power of his platform, but I’m not sure he is taking full advantage of it. I love the man’s message. It’s just that, sometimes, I wonder about the messenger.”
Calkins replied to Bennett by tweeting: “I’m sorry you feel this way. I actually have a lot of respect for you.”
Bennett discussed many on- and off-the-field topics last week with 710 ESPN Seattle’s John Clayton and Gee Scott.
