Ryan Switzer of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Colin Dunlap from 93.7 The Fan proved that good can come from a social media spat after the NFL wide receiver and sports radio host turned a Twitter quarrel into a charitable “reception challenge.”
As Bleacher Report first noted, during the Steelers’ Week 11 victory in Jacksonville, Dunlap reacted to a goal-line target of Switzer by tweeting, “So the plan was to throw to Switzer? Yikes.”
Switzer later saw the tweet and took exception to the analysis replying, “You and I both know you have some quarrel with me. It’s fine. I apologize for whatever it is I upset you with. Just keep it professional, please. The “yikes” in your tweet was unnecessary. You’re applying I’m not good at what I do. Which I am. I don’t speak on your profession.”
The morning radio host defended his original tweet, but also provided a peace offering to Switzer, suggesting a performance based charity donation.
“Talking about sports is what I do. Sometimes that involves criticism. It’s my goal to never make it personal. [Ryan Switzer] felt I did, I felt I didn’t. It bothers me and demands olive branch. That said, for every catch he has rest of season I’ll donate $20 to his charity($500 min).” Dunlap wrote on Twitter.
Switzer took Dunlap up on the offer, selecting a charity that is very meaningful to Dunlap and his family, the oncology program at UPMC Children’s Hospital where the morning radio host’s 7-year old daughter, Darran Dunlap is a patient being treated for leukemia.
“Great idea. You hear that Colin Dunlap? I’ve picked my charity of choice. And I’d like to double down. $40 from me for every catch the rest of the season/playoffs to the oncology programs at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.” Switzer wrote on Twitter after a follower suggested the “reception challenge” should benefit the children’s hospital oncology program.
What started out as a Twitter disagreement over an NFL play call, quickly turned into a positive impact. The Ryan Switzer Reception Challenge page at givetochildrens.org allows the public to provide a pledge per reception or a flat fee donation. In less than one week, the challenge surpassed its $5,000 goal and is currently closing in on $10,000 while still accepting donations.
Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here.