Athletes Use Twitter Platform To Powerfully, Pithily Profess

As the Rio 2016 and the Games of the XXXI Olympiad come to an end, Twitter has become a major platform for how sporting events, governing bodies and associations, and professional athletes engage and enhance the experience of such spectacles.
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As the Rio 2016 and the Games of the XXXI Olympiad come to an end, Twitter has become a major platform for how sporting events, governing bodies and associations, and professional athletes engage and enhance the experience of such spectacles.

The Olympics, @Olympics, used their Twitter profile to update millions of followers on the Games, retweets from athletes and behind the scenes preparation. The platform allowed fans to follow to their favorite athletes, get insight into athletes' everyday lives, opinions and interests, as well as learn about new athletes and countries they were previously unfamiliar with,

"Twitter's activation of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will bring fans around the world together to see what's happening with the teams before, during and after the top athletes compete for glory," Twitter Chief Marketing Officer Leslie Berland said in a press release earlier this month.

Sporting events, international governing bodies and local associations are using Twitter's ability to create 360 degree experiences with competitions, teams and athletes. Athletes are not only using Twitter to maximize their exposure, they are using Twitter to maximize their income through endorsement deals and increase their social influence. Earlier this year, Jennifer Mamajek of SportsLink Marketing wrote in her article, "Professional Athletes are Cashing in BIG with Twitter," that three of the top five athletes in terms of value per tweet endorsement are LeBron James (@KingJames), Kobe Bryant (@KobeBryant), and Floyd Mayweather (@FloydMayweather).

However, this type of financial influence does not measure the influence one's Twitter bio may have. Twitter bios are arguably the most important personal syntax online. Professional athletes can serve as positive examples of how student-athletes can effectively leverage one of today's most popular social media platforms to build their brand, engage with fans, and promote positive social causes, according to Jeffrey B. Eisenberg of Neumann University's Institute for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development.

In his 2014 article, "10 professional athletes who are social media all-stars," Eisenberg states that social media is not only for leisure, but it is also tied to our personal brands. The information we share on Twitter and online becomes intimately tied with our perceptions of people in real life and how we are perceived.

"Your bio is searchable within the Twittersphere, meaning you need to think carefully about keywords," according to Mashable. "It will show up in search engine results for your name, so it has to represent the true you. It's also how you choose to present yourself to Twitter's 230 million users, so it's worth giving it some serious thought."

In seemingly minor acts of faith, several current and former professional athletes, coaches and commentators incorporate their inspiration and express their faith and spiritual beliefs through the 160 characters allowed for Twitter bios.

The following is a list of active and retired athletes, contributors to the world of sports and entertainment, that skillfully use Twitter to emanate the essence of their complex, multifaceted personalities. The 50 individuals listed are affiliated with such companies and organizations including the NBA, NFL, NASCAR, WNBA, MLB, WTA, NCAA and France Ligue 1.

1.Robert Griffin III @RGIII
I have no Religion. I have a relationship with God. Live your life so it doesnt live you #NoPressureNoDiamonds #KnowYourWhy#GoCatchYourDream #ThisIsForUs
Jeremiah 29:11

2.Laurie Hernandez @lzhernandez02
God is always first❤️✨ || Gymnast || Gold and Silver Medalist at the 2016 Olympic Games || For business contact: SShade@shadeglobal.com

3.Stephen Curry @StephenCurry30
Believer. Husband to @ayeshacurry, father to Riley and Ryan, son, brother. Golden State Warriors guard. Davidson Wildcat. Philippians 4:13 #IWILL

4.Trevor Bayne @tbayne6
Jesus follower // Ashton's husband // racecar driver // http://
advocare.com/130839935

5.Avery Johnson @CoachAvery6
Alabama Crimson Tide Head Men's Basketball Coach #ROLLTIDE #BuckleUp NBA Coach of the Year 2006 Proverbs 3:5

6.Russell Wilson @DangeRussWilson
Mission: Live Like Jesus & Then Lead People to Jesus. Jesus Reigns

7.Maya Moore @MooreMaya
Basketball player, daughter, & drummer. Friend & red velvet cake lover. Love God & love People as He has loved us. John

8.Monica Wright @monnie22
*Child of the Most High* UVA Alum | Seattle Storm Guard | 2011 and 2013 WNBA

9.Robert Guerrero @GHOSTBOXING
Blessed to be a 6-Time World Champion in 4 divisions. Big believer in Jesus Christ. ACTS 2:38 http://www.reebok.com
team.guerrero@yahoo.com

10.Mario Chalmers @mchalmers15
Being a father is my pride & joy, & playing basketball is my dream coming true... Hungry, humble & grateful. God is good. 907 AK

11.Austin Trout @NoDoubtTrout
All glory be to God through Jesus Christ! I am The Austin No Doubt Trout! IG: @Nodoubttrout. #TeamHaymon

12.Gabriel Rosado @KingGabRosado
Professional boxer/Actor/Proud father/ Philadelphia, Los Angeles. God 1st... Next fight date 9/17 #HBO#payperview #CaneloSmith #RosadoMonroe

13.Taylor Townsend @TaylorTownsend
Live, Laugh, Love #GodFirst #FCHW

14.Brandon Knight @Goodknight11
To God Be The Glory

15.Andre Drummond @AndreDrummondd
I'm Free In Christ- Galatians 5:1 #T.A.G.O.D

16.Bradley Beal @RealDealBeal23
To God be the Glory ! Always a Florida Gator ! Play for the Washington Wizards ! Humble&Hungry is the motto ! IG: BradBeal3 http://realdeal-bradbeal.com

17.Santonio Hol❌es Jr. @ToneTime10
Santonio Hol❌es Jr. (born in Florida). ❌arried to @LovelyLady__10 I'm a wide receiver for our Lord God and of the National Football League. Father of 4

18.David Ragan @DavidRagan
Husband, Father X2, and follower of Jesus Christ!

19.Brian Scott @bscottracing
Husband. Father. Dog Owner. Saved by Jesus. Official Twitter account of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Brian Scott.

20.Chad McCumbee @chad_mccumbee
Husband, Christian, Race Driver in NASCAR, ARCA and IMSA, SAG Member. Psalm 28:7

21.Mike Kidd-Gilchrist @MKG14
Down to earth always keep God 1st, I'm a regular guy just have a Bigger Dream than most. Instagram: @MKG14

22.Tony Dungy @TonyDungy
Husband to @LaurenDungy, father of ten, author (http://www.coachdungy.com), retired NFL coach, National Spokesman for @AllProDad. Live by Mark 8:36

23.Adrian Gonzalez @Adrian_ElTitan
Husband, Father, Love Jesus. Ps 27:1 1st baseman Los Angeles Dodgers

24.Reggie Bush @ReggieBush
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

25.Kurt Warner @kurt13warner
The Bible is a book about God using ordinary ppl to do ExTRAordinary things... pretty much sums up my life! STILL ordinary but chasing the ExTRAordinary!

26.Gerald Henderson @GhJr09
Love my God. Love my family and friends. Love my basketball. Love myself. Love my dog...

27.JJ Reddick @JJReddick
Christian. Husband. Dad. Podcast host. Foodie. Music Lover. Watch collector. I also play basketball.

28.Ryan Anderson @ryananderson33
Christ follower, Houston Rocket, foodie, wannabe movie critic, underground music producer, afraid of stickers. Part owner of Mens Store, Cloak and Dapper

29.Jameel Nelson @jameernelson
God is good

30.Seth Curry @sdotcurry
Living life one day at a time! #GodsWorkNotMine

31.Lolo Jones @lolojones
holding out till 41 because there needs to be a movie sequel to the 40 Year Old Virgin. Praise Jesus. Also I'm an Olympic Hurdler & Bobsledder.

32.Sanya Richards-Ross @SanyaRichiRoss
Olympic Champion, Executive Producer, and entrepreneur! God gives you your dreams....CHASE THEM!

33.Jonathan Stewart @JonathanStewar1
carolina panthers running back Phil 4:13 i can do all things through christ who strengthens me! For appearances & speaking engagements mark.heligman@gmail.com

34.Bria Hartley @Breezyyy14
Colossians 3:23 | WNBA Washington Mystics | Just living a dream and passing everyone's expectations

35.Brian Dawkins @Brian Dawkins
Man with a New Mission!! Blessed man of God!!! Official twitter account of Brian Dawkins!! Blessed By The Best #BBTB DOGGONEIT!! @PowerHandz

36.Thomas Davis @ThomasDavisSDTM
Love God, Love my family, Love my life...Thomas Davis Defending Dreams Foundation, The Bulldog Nation and Carolina Panthers all day!

37.Carlos Hyde @elguapo
God-fearing
The Endzone flexin.

38.Teddy Bridgewater @teddyb_h2o
Blessings are delayed but never denied. #GUMP™ #CallGod #Moonz #SHiNE #EBM

39.Laquon Treadwell @SuccessfulQuon
God First.. Family. Live

40.Jordan Matthews @jmattjmattjmatt
Believer. Son. Brother. Kanye stan. Matthew 17:20 #FlyEaglesFly #AnchorDown #AO1 #G2G

41.Michelle Carter @ShotDiva
USA Olympian. American Record Holder. I Love Jesus! Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good! Team Nike and NYAC! #ShotDiva #ShotDivaMakeup#YouThrowGirl

42.illWill @WilliamClaye
All Glory to the Most High|Olympian|World Champion|Multi Hyphenated| Snapchat:WillClaye IG:WillClaye #ELEVATE

43.chaute @chauntelowe
Follower of Christ | American Record Holder | 3X Olympian | 3X World Championship Medalist | Nike Professional Athlete | Mommy of 3 | and Wife.

44.cat whitehill @catwhitehll4
USWNT, UNC, Boston Breakers asst coach, commentator, adopter of dogs, but most of all, i love God, my family, and my friends

45.Lucas Moura @LucasMoura7
JESUS é o caminho, a verdade e a vida! / JESUS is the way, and the truth, and the life! João/John 14:6 contato@4comm.com.br

46.Harrison Barnes @hbarnes
✟ Acts 4:12 | TAR HEEL. | @dallasmavs forward | http://Instagram.com/hbarnes | Snapchat: hbarnes40

47.Festus Ezeli @festus
my first name means....NOTHING is impossible WITH GOD. maybe that'll help you understand my life's story #31 snap: festusezeli31

48.Bismack Biyombo @bismackbiyombo
Thank God for the life I'm living!! Proud to be from DRC and Africa! love my family. #Biznation

49.Kevin Pamphile @KevinPamphile64
Striving 4 the best, never setling 4 anything but the best. I am blessed and thankful for the opportunity God has given #Bucs

50.Randall Cobb @rcobb18
Faith in the Creator of Life. Son. Brother. Friend. Exceeding Expectations

TWITTER USAGE / COMPANY FACTS
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All numbers approximate as of June 30, 2016.
  • 313 Million Monthly active users
  • 1 Billion Unique visits monthly to sites with embedded Tweets
  • 82% are Active users on mobile
  • 79% of Accounts are outside the United States
  • 40+ Languages supported

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