Calls for Hogs Fans to Back Off Becoming More Numerous

As Razorbacks fanatics drift further across lines of established norms, Arkansas camp getting move vocal about need for it to stop

Author:
Kent Smith
Publish date:
Jan 31, 2024 12:20 PM EST

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Arkansas Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas guard Khalif Battle had two clear messages for Razorbacks fans.
1. Lay off all the bashing of recently departed senior guard Davonte Davis.
2. If you're one of the people going after Davis on social media, don't consider yourself a Hogs fan.

"My family always told me people are always gonna have something to say whether you do something right or do something wrong or doing great or if you're winning or losing they always have something to say," Battle said during his weekly Tuesday appearance on 103.7 The Buzz. "I mean some of the things that's going on with Devo right now, this ain't right right. Arkansas fans have been great. I can't really call those people who are saying the type of things they're saying, 'No, he's wrong.' If they were on the other side of the ball, if they were on the other side of the fence, they probably wouldn't have handled it as well as Devo's handled it."

Battle isn't the only player to publicly come out and question Razorbacks fans taking shots at Davis on social media. Former Arkansas basketball star and current Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylen Williams was quick to shield Davis also shortly after the word he had left the team got out.

Williams, anticipating how fans might react to Davis' departure, called on them to keep in mind everything he contributed to bringing the program to national prominence the previous three seasons. He also encouraged people to check and make sure Davis is OK.

Still, things surrounding the guard's departure got out of hand as Arkansas fans were left to assume what went wrong. Arkansas coach Eric Musselman, quite possibly because the law requires it in this situation if any form of health matter is involved, refused to answer questions about Davis. Instead, he referred to a one-sentence press release put out by the university saying he is stepping away.

With limited information, fans have taken to do their own digging, and, not being trained on what constitutes a reliable source and how many reliable sources must be confirmed and vetted before something can be reported, rumors and speculation have run wild. It's gotten so far out of hand that Musselman's wife, Danyelle, had to take to social media to essentially warn fans to stop bothering their eighth grade daughter.

Whether fans were crossing the line to gain information on Davis, about coaching rumors that kicked up soon after involving Musselman's willingness to stick around, or both is unclear. What is clear is the strong message for the Arkansas base to gets its act together coming out of the Razorbacks basketball camp.

To reiterate for clarity, Danyelle Musselman wants fans to leave their middle schooler alone, and Battle wants that same group of people to realize "if you're a real Arkansas fan, there should be no bashing Devo."