Think first. Think before speaking. Think before tweeting. Just think.

When will athletes learn about the dangers of spouting off on social media when driven first by their raw emotion before taking the time to think before posting?

The answer apparently is: Never.

Social media struck the NFL again Sunday when Browns safety Jermaine Whitehead went ballistic after Cleveland’s loss to the Broncos Sunday, posting profane, threatening comments on Twitter — comments that were so over the top that Whitehead’s account had been suspended before he got to the team bus out of Denver, according to ESPN.

By Monday morning, the suspension of his Twitter account was the least of Whitehead’s problems when the Browns waived him.

“Jermaine Whitehead’s social media posts following today’s game were totally unacceptable and highly inappropriate,” a Browns spokesperson said Sunday night. “We immediately spoke with Jermaine upon learning of these comments. The Browns in no way condone that type of language or behavior. This matter will be further addressed internally.”

Whitehead, whose 2019 salary was $645,000, according to overthecap.com, is out of out of a job because be tweeted before thinking.

Whitehead, who refused to speak to reporters after the game (presumably because he was too busy typing into his mobile phone), was responding to criticism of his play, which included being trampled by Broncos tight end Noah Fant on a 75-yard touchdown reception. One of the subjects of his ire was Browns radio analyst Dustin Fox, who said, “Whitehead’s effort tackling today is a joke.”

This was Whitehead’s brilliant Twitter response to Fox: “Come get it in blood b—h made ass lil boy. I’m out there with a broke hand.. don’t get smoked f–k ass cracker.”

In a related rant to fans criticizing his play, Whitehead wrote, “Imma kill you b—h.. that’s on blood.” He also responded to a tweet asking for “a time and a place” to meet him with the address for the Browns’ practice facility. “80 Lou Groza Blvd Berea Ohio 44017 Any f–kin day of the week??? CRACKER.”

Whitehead later used his Instagram account to apologize for his performance, but not for his mindless tweets:

“Crazy world. They line it up and say anything in the book too you,” he said in the caption of a photo of himself walking outside with a suitcase in his right hand and a cast on the left one.

“They tell you take the high road, when yo whole life you was taught to meet fire with fire. I do apologize for my performance, but having a broke hand and a strong fear of letting my team down is my downfall. Whatever happens happens. Ain trippin. They probably gone still talk crazy but this me getting smoke off my chest. I don’t need one like.. this from me to me! Keep ya head up homie, can’t nobody f— with you. I dare em to try.”

Was that all worth throwing away more money than most of the population earns? Whitehead should be a terrific story as a 26-year-old undrafted free agent playing in his fourth NFL season.

You know the answer to that. Presumably, so does Whitehead, who’s now seeking employment.

Another player who recklessly took to social media after a loss on Sunday was Jets cornerback Darryl Roberts. Though Roberts’ Instagram rant was not nearly as damaging as Whitehead’s, it was ill-advised.

Roberts ripped Jets “fake ass fans” in profanity-laced diatribe after the Jets lost 26-18 to the previously-winless Dolphins.

“I’m sorry but it gotta be said!” Roberts wrote. “All y’all fake ass fans f—in kill me wit dat negative s—, if u gon rock wit us then rock wit us but if u ain’t shut tf [the f—] up please & go like another team! And another thing y’all need to stop @’n players talkin crazy becaus (sic) y’all known dam well you wouldn’t buss a dam grape in a fruit fight! Ok i’m done have a nice day!”

These words were disturbing on a couple of levels.

Firstly, Roberts played so poorly in the game, showing no ability to cover any Dolphins receiver, that he’d have been better off hiding instead of drawing any additional attention to himself.

Secondly, when you lose to a team whose front office has overtly been trying to tank the season for the top draft pick, you should be kissing your fans’ collective fannies while apologizing for your poor performance instead of further inciting the irate fan base.

Know your audience. This was a gross fail on Roberts’ part.

Just days earlier, Roberts’ teammate, safety Jamal Adams, took to Twitter with a knee-jerk rant to news that the team had listened to trade offers for him. Adams, a team captain, belied that title with what came off as an immature reaction to what can only be described as part of the business on the part of Jets general manager Joe Douglas.

These incidents occur constantly and they always leave you to wonder what the athletes were thinking … until you realize that they weren’t.

When will these athletes ever learn that, as good as they think they are, social media is undefeated and untied?

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