The NFL, where liking an Instagram photo lands you in hot water

Image: David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Perhaps lost for many in this weekend's NFL detritus was the Case of Jadeveon Clowney's Instagram Thirst.

Cue the outrage. Misplaced and overblown outrage, but outrage nonetheless - so misplaced and overblown, in fact, that it bears quickly addressing here and now.

If you're just getting up to speed, here's the deal: Clowney is a preternaturally talented pass rusher, an athletic freak of nature and was the top pick in this year's NFL Draft. He's battled injuries this year though, and some say he's not showing the requisite resolve to overcome those injuries and help the Houston Texans on the field. An unidentified illness kept him out of the Texans' 31-21 loss to the Eagles on Sunday.

Now, are you sitting down? Here's where the plot thickens. We'll let Philadelphia Daily News writer Tom Mahon explain. From his Monday column: 'But apparently, the Texans linebacker - or someone with access to his Instagram account - was well enough to 'like' a photo of a woman at the very same time his team was losing to the Birds.'

**GASP**

Can you believe it?? Liking a woman's selfie? Neither could Houston talk-radio host Nick Wright, nor many others.

Man, I just checked. Clowney, or someone on his account, absolutely 'Liked' someone's Instagram picture at 12:45pm today. That's awful.

- nick wright (@getnickwright) November 2, 2014

Here is the picture, posted at 12:30pm, and the people who 'Liked' it. Awful look for Clowney. #Texans http://ift.tt/1DMo6zc

- nick wright (@getnickwright) November 2, 2014

'Remember, that's 12:45 Central Time, 45 minutes after the game started,' Mahon re-iterated in his Sunday column.

So, here's the deal. It's possible to watch an NFL game and screw around on your phone at the same time - even if you're an NFL player. Heck, it's almost impossible not to mess around on your phone while watching an NFL game; according to one study, only 8 percent of a game broadcast is actual, you know, football.

I'm not a doctor, but if you're too sick to glance at Instagram and reflexively double-tap a photo, then you should probably go to the hospital.

Houston coach Bill O'Brien, however, says his teenage son explained Twitter, Instagram and ' Spacebook' to him and the team is 'moving on' from whatever issues Clowney's like-gate may have caused.

O'Brien seems to get it. But, to all who find an Instagram like outrageous, we can offer only this official ruling.

http://ift.tt/1xMKk26

- Josh Appel (@JoshAppel) November 1, 2014

Still, it's a useful reminder for Clowney and other high-profile modern athletes: You're always - always, always, always - being watched and judged online.