In a week in which Justin Jefferson has criticized the behavior of fans who message him on social media about his injury, the Vikings’ star receiver deleted his Twitter and Instagram accounts on Friday.
The @JJettas2 Twitter account went dark Friday afternoon, stating: “This account does not exist,” while the same happened to his Instagram account on which he had two million followers.
Earlier this week, Jefferson posted a stern tweet in which he suggested he had been getting direct messages regarding his recovery from the hamstring injury that has kept him out since Week 5.
“My health is wayyyy more important than you winning your fantasy games. It doesn’t matter how many times y’all flood my dms talking about me selling your team. I DONT CARE,” he said.
Speaking to the media on Friday morning, Jefferson said, per the Star Tribune: “The amount of people that really criticize you and talk very, very bad about you, calling you different names. And you’re just trying to be healthy and trying to be your best on the field … I’m more worried about my team and me being healthy.”
Whether or not the departure from social media is permanent remains to be seen. Jefferson did deactivate his Twitter account in December last year after tweeting in defense of Vikings QB Kirk Cousins, but ultimately returned.
