by By: Greta Rosen
In recent years athletes have become responsible for more than just their performance in their sport. Social media has created opportunities for athletes to showcase their authenticity, and individuality. Using different social media platforms allows athletes to interact with their fans, and set them up for success to have a career after their time as an professional athlete.
It’s difficult to see a lense into players’ personalities just from their performance in their sport, but having a strong social media presence allows athletes to show their personality outside the game. Some of the most well-known, fan-favorite athletes are due to who they are as individuals, outside their sport. It’s about where they came from, what they’ve overcome, what they do in their free-time, and what they do with their reputation.
A good example is the Super Bowl Champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, star quarterback Jalen Hurts. He did an interview with “GQ Sports” in 2021 titled “How Jalen Hurts Spent His First $1M in the NFL | My First Million | GQ Sports.” In the interview he talks about how he put $70,000 aside for his younger sister to go to college when she is old enough. This highlights Hurts true character and gives football fans a reason to like him outside of his football career.
Jalen Hurts GQ Sports Interview
So how can athletes boost their brand through social media content? Athletes can use the different social media platforms for different opportunities to grow their name and brand. Instagram has an everyday-life, casual feel to it. It’s a platform to share special moments, but also can be used as a professional tool. X gives athletes a chance to share their thoughts on not only sports, but life outside their sport. They have the ability to share their thoughts freely. I think TikTok is the biggest social media app right now. TikTok is a way to reach a younger audience and for users to showcase their personality on the app through a variety of sounds, dances, and songs.
In conclusion, social media has given athletes a chance to show part of them outside of their career. Professional athletes are so much more than just their sport, their authenticity is what sets players apart, and makes them memorable in the long run. Social media have given athletes an opportunity to do something with their career after the game is over, and create a name for themselves outside of their sport.
I think you bring up some great points. Athletes showing more of their personality on social media can be extremely advantageous to gaining support from fans. I especially like your point of using TikTok more to connect with younger audiences. I think someone like Jared McCain is a great example of doing exactly that.
-Seth Thompson
I think you bring up some great points. Athletes showing more of their personality on social media can be extremely advantageous to gaining support from fans. I especially like your point of using TikTok more to connect with younger audiences. I think someone like Jared McCain is a great example of doing exactly that.
What an excellent synopsis of the ways in which the rise of social media has altered the modern athlete’s role in society. Your point that the fan cares more about the player than the numbers or performance is well-taken. Jalen Hurts’s story exemplifies the transformative power of players sharing their beliefs and personal narratives, which fosters a sense of community that extends well beyond the playing field.
Using various venues for various aspects of one’s personal brand is a really valid point. Athletes may shape their careers to their benefit by learning the ins and outs of Instagram, X, and TikTok’s respective audiences and tones. After their playing days are finished, it will be intriguing to observe how future athletes manage to be genuine while being pressured to continually create material.
Hi Greta! I really enjoyed your post — you explained so clearly how social media gives athletes the chance to show who they are beyond their performance. Your example about Jalen Hurts was perfect because it shows how small moments off the field can shape the way fans connect with an athlete. I also liked how you broke down the different platforms and what each one can offer. It made me think about how much athletes can benefit from being intentional with their online presence, especially as they plan for life after their playing career. Great job!