Ohio State striker EJ Liddell responded to a couple of angry fans who he said sent him threatening messages after the Buckeyes’ first round of the NCAA tournament came out on Friday, writing in part to his Twitter account: “What did I do to deserve it? I’m human.”
Liddell and Buckeyes, No. 2, fell 75-72 in overtime, to Oral Roberts, No. 15, in the first major upset of the tournament in two years.
He then shared screenshots of messages he said he received from the two disgruntled fans, including one who threatened to find and physically attack him.
Another fan wrote to Liddell, “You’re a huge disgrace. Never show your face to Ohio State. We hate you. I hope you die, really.”
“The comments don’t reach me, but I just want to know why,” Liddell wrote on Twitter. “I’ve never done anything to anyone in my life to get me this way.
“I don’t say anything negative about Ohio State fans. I love you all so much and I haven’t felt more than appreciated since the first day I walked into campus.”
Former Buckeyes star Jared Sullinger was one of those who supported Liddell, writing that some people “don’t see you as a human being anymore than entertainment.”
“You’re still the young man you are brother,” Sullinger wrote to Liddell. “Proud of you. Use these messages to fuel the fire.”
Liddell, a sophomore, scored 23 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Buckeyes, who were runners-up in the Big Ten tournament and entered Friday’s first-round game as 16-point favorites.