I posted about a bully in my ESPN fantasy league here on The Glass last year, but this year, it has boiled over. I draft ten teams a year on ESPN for fantasy football. On Monday, June 1st, I began drafting my teams. The first two drafts went without incident, but then came the next three drafts later that day and the first two drafts on Tuesday, June 2nd. Five straight drafts that saw seven people, none of whom I have ever interacted with before, come after me like they were lions and I was meat. From name calling, to more harsher insults and at the end of one draft, a threat to do me bodily harm.
I actually told the guy if he wanted to send me an email request for my address, I would gladly give it to him in so he could achieve his butt-kicking goals at my expense. He has yet to take me up on that offer, however, I did think to teach him a lesson about "keyboard" tough guy behavior, and I reported him to ESPN.
I did this early Tuesday afternoon, and within 24 hours, this man was banned for a year. Next time he shows his ass like that, he will be banned for life from ever playing ESPN leagues again. This man also was bullying another guy too, but I don't know if that guy reported him or not.
But I was very surprised by how quickly ESPN addressed the issue and took swift action. I also noticed how they were not treating me like the problem, as Goodreads treated me when I got attacked on their website. ESPN did not make me a victim twice, and this is where Goodreads could learn a thing or two on how to deal with bullies. It is Goodreads nature to punish the victims more than the aggressors. But it is nice to know that there are places out there on the internet who know how to distinguish bullies from victims.
But I won't hold my breath waiting for Goodreads to figure it out.
Thank you ESPN for acting quickly, and properly. Hopefully, others will follow your example and together, we can crack down on these internet thugs. One bully at a time.
