A Look Back at Famous Athletes' First Tweets

Dikembe Mutombo joined Twitter on Wednesday and instantly made a splash, sending out a picture of him with Bill and Chelsea Clinton as his first tweet. That's a

Dikembe Mutombo joined Twitter on Wednesday and instantly made a splash, sending out a picture of him with Bill and Chelsea Clinton as his first tweet. That's a strong Twitter debut.

What a wonderful day with The Clintons #CGI2013 pic.twitter.com/g8UzOq1y1D

— Dikembe Mutombo (@officialmutombo) September 26, 2013

That got us thinking, what were the first tweets of some now-Twitter-popular athletes? Retweets don't count.

Blake Griffin

When Blake Griffin started using Twitter, we didn't know him to be the funny athlete he is today; he was a superb college basketball player waiting to be picked by an NBA team. Therefore, his thoughts were rather boring. At least he said happy birthday to brother Taylor in his first tweet. Aw, sibling love.

Kobe Bryant

The antisocial has become social #mambatweets

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 4, 2013

Thoughts of self doubt
Am I done? Is this how my career will end?? I REFUSE to give in to these thoughts. #strongwill #countonchallenges

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 5, 2013

Kobe Bryant shared some honest thoughts from the start. He knew his reputation as a quiet type off the court, and he recognized the people doubting that age hadn't affected his play. Bryant has since posted some legitimately substantial thoughts on his account, but nothing as introspective as that second tweet.

Wes Welker

thank you @rocklive

— Wes Welker (@WesWelker) December 20, 2011

@ochocinco has me trying out this twitter thing. How many followers will I have by this Saturday's game?! Thanks och!

— Wes Welker (@WesWelker) December 20, 2011

Don't tell Bill I'm on here! Thanks! Hahaha!

— Wes Welker (@WesWelker) December 20, 2011

He was boring in his first tweet, but that third one's fantastic. Welker was the first popular Patriot to get a Twitter account--Tom Brady wasn't doing that--and say anything remotely interesting on it. These days, Welker mainly plugs his sponsors or roots for alma mater Texas Tech.

Chipper Jones

Hello all! Yes, the ol man finally got the twitta! Shame on the posers. Thx to all the followers already. No fans like braves fans!

— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) July 24, 2012

Nice win by the bravos! Huddy dealt, kimmy closed it out. Need a W tmrw to finish out a good trip. Lookin forward to getting back to the ATL

— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) July 25, 2012

For u hunters out there, I'm no longer on BC full time, tho u will see me on some shows. Major league bowhunter is my new baby on sportsmans

— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) July 25, 2012

Chipper talked about hunting and used the word "poser" in his first few tweets. Naturally.

Tiger Woods

Welcome to my new Twitter page at: www.twitter.com/TigerWoods

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) June 26, 2009

Check out my new Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/Tiger

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) June 26, 2009

Check out my new official Web site at: www.TigerWoods.com

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) June 26, 2009

Thanks for letting us know we're at Tiger Woods's Twitter page, Tiger Woods.

Lindsey Vonn

Just started this tweety bird thing... We'll see how it goes. Still skeptical

— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) June 27, 2009

Just laying in bed watching law and order. Thinking about going to the pool later but the weather is still bad...

— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) June 27, 2009

Just posted some new pics on my website in the gallery under the heading summer '09

— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) June 27, 2009

Lindsey Vonn was a little more interesting than Tiger Woods, although she seemed to have a habit of starting her tweets with "just," as if they were on a time delay. (Shekeptdoingit.)

Maria Sharapova

Your ultimate sugarmama has arrived #myfirsttweet pic.twitter.com/QbC9DRLR

— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) January 14, 2013

Everyone got dressed in the same closet, wearing yellow on court at aus open.

— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) January 15, 2013

Browsing Pre-Fall collections...loving the masculine black and white combos esp Stella McCartneys look 9 pic.twitter.com/kzprWAH2

— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) January 16, 2013