It appears Boston sports fans and media have finally driven New York Post sports columnist Bart Hubbuch off Twitter.
Update: After a day away, he’s back:
https://twitter.com/BartHubbuch/status/778686976052428801
This all started when Hubbuch tweeted Tuesday morning that it was a “totally not-shocking fact” that new Patriots’ starter Jacoby Brissett was the first black quarterback to start a game in team history, and drew substantial backlash in the process:
https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/778394830988840960
This is just idiotic and completely unnecessary. The fact Bart even said this is racist. How does @BartHubbuch have a job? #Patriots #NFL https://t.co/3Rj7zl2G70
— Kevin Tame Jr. (@Kevin_Tame) September 20, 2016
I'd say this tweet was bad/dumb, but that would diminish just how uncalled for and dog whistle-like it is.
— Russ Benwah (@RusstopherB) September 20, 2016
https://twitter.com/DannDeMaina/status/778280002433511425
NY Giants are now the only team not to do so, doesn't Bart write in NY
— michael pirre (@qbcoach18) September 20, 2016
I'm sure @BartHubbuch will get right to the bottom of this controversy https://t.co/BPGdsWoPgt
— Jerry Thornton (@jerrythornton1) September 20, 2016
Much of the most prominent criticism came from Fox Sports’ Katie Nolan:
you're so #brave
— Katie Nolan (probably) (@katienolan) September 20, 2016
so if people agree with you you want credit, but if they point out that you're a clown you blame NESN? #brave
— Katie Nolan (probably) (@katienolan) September 20, 2016
lol aw you think I'm gonna argue with you
— Katie Nolan (probably) (@katienolan) September 20, 2016
are you a bot? How do I unsubscribe from this
— Katie Nolan (probably) (@katienolan) September 20, 2016
have you ever given anything a single thought though? Be honest.
— Katie Nolan (probably) (@katienolan) September 20, 2016
If Bart made a single real point, I'd debate him on it. He didn't. He's a professional troll w completely self-serving motives.
— Katie Nolan (probably) (@katienolan) September 20, 2016
Nolan’s show used to have a regular “Delete Your Account” segment, but it’s rare to see anyone actually do that. Hubbuch did eventually delete his Twitter account Tuesday night after all this criticism, though, and many erupted in rejoicing:
To @FeitsBarstool, @kirkmin, @katienolan and everyone else who helped Bart Hubbuch disappear: Thank you.
-All of us. pic.twitter.com/AJqyRxjfkG
— Jon (@Jon_Albanese) September 21, 2016
What a beautiful evening. Sox in first place. Patriots in first place. Jackass/troll Bart Hubbuch forced to delete his account.
— Ed Bogle (@MarlboroDad) September 21, 2016
https://twitter.com/PatsFanCam/status/778406400930279424
WEEI’s Kirk Minihane later tweeted that Hubbuch appears to have changed his number, too:
Just called Hubbach for a comment (and to gloat.) His number has been disconnected.
— Kirk Minihane (@kirkmin) September 21, 2016
Minihane then gave out the number for the Post’s sports section, and tweeted his interactions with them:
Called @nypostsports. Asked to speak to whoever is in charge. Told 'em my name. Guy paused, said he didn't know who was charge and hung up.
— Kirk Minihane (@kirkmin) September 21, 2016
The phone number for @nypostsports, if you care, is 212-930-8700.
— Kirk Minihane (@kirkmin) September 21, 2016
Again spoke to someone at @nypostsports. Asked him for a comment on Hubbach. "No comment." Asked for his name. "Fuck yourself." I just might
— Kirk Minihane (@kirkmin) September 21, 2016
@KirkAndCallahan just called @nypostsports as well, no answer just immediately hung up on. pic.twitter.com/2mR3tHNmt5
— Uncle Dino MAFL (RETIRED) (@PrayForDino) September 21, 2016
What’s really interesting is that this particular backlash would motivate Hubbuch to quit Twitter (albeit only briefly in the end). It’s not like criticism from Boston sports fans is a new thing for him, as he had some of the most notable anti-Brady takes on Deflategate (and took exactly as much backlash as you’d expect for that). Maybe he decided it just wasn’t worth it any more? Who knows. This is an exceptionally rare actual deletion of a Twitter account from a media member, though, and it’s definitely notable on that front. We’ve reached out to Hubbuch for comment and will update if he responds.
Thanks to David Stevenson, who initially sent this to AA as a This Week In Hot Takes tip.
Update: This post initially said the Patriots signed Brissett; they drafted him in the third round earlier this year.
Comments are closed.