Baltimore Ravens’ wide receiver Torrey Smith published this tweet and Instagram photo earlier:
https://twitter.com/TorreySmithWR/status/419154159196459010
TMZ.com then came out with this story:
#Breaking: Torrey Smith — NFL Star Fires Off Homophobic Slur http://t.co/glyfwm1tYN
— TMZ (@TMZ) January 3, 2014
Smith (and others) pointed out that he was “joking” with his brother:
https://twitter.com/TorreySmithWR/status/419176567617900545
So @TMZ is trying to come after @TorreySmithWR over a picture where he was joking with his brother? Oh good grief…
— Elle Boogie (@ElleAyeDub) January 3, 2014
https://twitter.com/BlackCanseco/status/419197223411253248
https://twitter.com/DukeOfZamunda/status/419200829191888896
Smith has said he’ll not apologize or remove the comments, and he’s found some support:
@TMZ how bout you take time to report all the great things @TorreySmithWR does WITH HIS TIME & MONEY for his community instead of this B.S.
— #Ravens#O's#Lakers (@B_MoreRob) January 3, 2014
https://twitter.com/kimnagy81/status/419186874553352192
@TorreySmithWR @TMZ As a gay dude, I'm siding w/ Torrey here. This was clearly said in jest without malice or prejudice. Lighten up, TMZ.
— MixedUpMixerMan (@MixedUpMixerMan) January 3, 2014
People, sometimes it really is as simple as brotherly jesting. Judge a man by the sum of his words and actions. Cc: @TorreySmithWR
— Ian Thompson (@iantDC) January 3, 2014
https://twitter.com/Shainaa/status/419179391642791936
@TorreySmithWR That’s a non-story, man. Don’t even worry about it. Most people have better things to do than read TMZ.
— The Sports Geeks (@thesportsgeeks) January 3, 2014
@TorreySmithWR The people that really know you know that's completely false. you're one of the classiest people out there. Smh.
— Renato (@RPMSports18) January 3, 2014
Not everybody was supportive of Smith:
https://twitter.com/ItsRickMitchell/status/419202502840446976
@ItsRickMitchell @TorreySmithWR It's also not cool to throw around false accusations of homophobia w/out all the facts. #TheBoyWhoCriedWolf
— MixedUpMixerMan (@MixedUpMixerMan) January 3, 2014
@MixedUpMixerMan And what are the facts?
— Rick Mitchell (@ItsRickMitchell) January 3, 2014
@ItsRickMitchell @TorreySmithWR Mr. Smith was lightheartedly teasing his brother 4 wearing his sister's socks. This is hardly gay bashing.
— MixedUpMixerMan (@MixedUpMixerMan) January 3, 2014
@MixedUpMixerMan Is his sister part of a royal court? It's not gay bashing…but it's ignorant and homophobic.
— Rick Mitchell (@ItsRickMitchell) January 3, 2014
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