Lolo Jones criticized for insensitive tweet to paralyzed football player

Newark, NJ, United States (4E Sports) – American hurdler Lolo Jones has been criticized for tweeting an insensitive note to wheelchair-bound Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand, who was paralyzed in a 2010 game.

LeGrand jokingly challenged Jones, who finished fourth in the 100-meter hurdles at the London Games, to a foot race via Twitter.

 

Unaware that LeGrand suffered a spinal injury and was wheelchair-bound, Jones replied “get checked for a concussion. Clearly, u’ve been hit in the head… Cos u arent beating a track athlete.”

Later, Jones apologized on Twitter after she was informed of LeGrand’s condition.

“No, dnt know. Sry dont know every football player. He challenged me 2 a race & I responded,” she tweeted.

“Great I’m gonna get murdered for that tweet. When I had no clue who that dude was. Just responding to any athlete who challenges me to a race,” Jones added later.

Taking no offense from the note, LeGrand tweeted Jones “didnt take it personal, understand where ur coming from. All good” to which the hurdler replied “Getting trashed by tons of ppl glad ur not one of em”.

The 21-year-old LeGrand has resumed his studies just a few months after becoming paralyzed, taking classes via Skype.

This was the second time that Jones was involved in a Twitter controversy. During the Olympics, Lolo tweeted that Americans would start performing better at the Olympics when “da Gun shootin competition” started.

That tweet came eight days after thirteen people died when James Holmes opened fire during a midnight screening of the Dark Knight Rises.

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