Man accused of body shaming Toronto Blue Jays player has apologized
The man who recently caught some flack for body shaming Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk has now apologized.
The events began on Wednesday night when 23-year-old Kirk made an impressive run from first to home during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Toronto Blue Jays tweeted out footage from the play, and praised Mexico-native Kirk for his determination and hustle.
We would run through a wall for Captain @alejandro_kirk 😤 pic.twitter.com/9PHrjlLDf8
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 14, 2022
However, the celebratory moment turned sour when a Quebec-based TSN sports reporter @matthewwords (whose account has since been deleted), expressed some thoughts regarding Kirk that some people found unnecessary and insulting.
"Imagine how much better he'd be if he were in better shape," tweeted the account belonging to a person named Matthew Ross.
The like to comment ratio💀💀💀
— Hockey Is All (83-79) (@Hockey_Is_All) September 15, 2022
Sit down @MatthewWords pic.twitter.com/9aI4wQREJ0
"It's cute and all, but it's also embarrassing for the sport," he continued. "Giving guys like this prominence feeds negative baseball stereotypes."
The tweets picked up some considerable heat, and Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah decided to clap back and defend his teammate.
What’s actually embarrassing for the sport is people that go by the name of Matthew and have never played a day in the big leagues thinking they can control the narrative and stereotypes. Go ahead and tell that 8 year old kid who is 10lbs over weight that he should quit now. Or https://t.co/c4cbTABMbx
— MANOAH (@Alek_Manoah6) September 15, 2022
Manoah suggested that Ross' words could have damaging impacts on young baseball players who may be struggling with body image issues.
The reporter at the centre of all the controversy attempted to justify himself, saying that he was questioning the optics of a pro-baseball player, rather than fat-shaming.
However, Ross issued an apology Saturday night, claiming that he never meant any ill-intent when posting his tweets about Kirk.
The following message is from Matthew Ross. Please see below:#BlueJays @alejandro_kirk @Alek_Manoah6 pic.twitter.com/OVxZndmmsw
— Eric Rosenhek (@TheHek) September 18, 2022
"When the Jays posted the clip of Mr. Kirk running the bases, I took it as tongue in cheek, almost as though they were poking fun," he explained.
"When Mr. Manaoh defended his teammate, and I wish all of us had a friend as great as he is, the narrative went in a different direction, referring to all people who may be struggling with body issues," Ross wrote.
"As some who experienced the horrors of bullying, and who has seen people close to me deal with very painful body related struggles, my heart broke that anyone could think of me as this monster," he continued.
Ross admitted that he was insensitive and wrong for posting his tweets, and that he will continue to evolve past this situation.
Join the conversation Load comments