On Monday, Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker engaged in a social media spat with a fellow wideout, Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints, which saw both players attack each other’s playing credentials.
Parker responded online to a question in a way that struck a nerve with Thomas, who saw it as a slap at his abilities. Thomas then delivered a shot of his own at Parker’s level of production during his career.
In Thomas’ four NFL seasons, he’s already collected a whopping 470 receptions, including 274 over the past two seasons, leading the NFL in that category in both seasons.
Parker has played five seasons with the Dolphins after having been the 14th overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft. For his career, he’s grabbed half as many throws as Thomas, a total of 235.
In 2019, Parker bounced back from an injury-plagued 2018 season to catch a career-high 72 passes for 1,202 yards and nine touchdowns.
While an online debate between two current players is hardly the first time something like this has happened, it does show that Thomas appears highly sensitive to even the most minor perceived sleights.
Last year, Thomas took exception to then-Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah for introducing his college on television as “The” Oklahoma State University.
Thomas played at Ohio State University, a school that chooses to refer to itself by using “The” before its name.
Coincidentally, Ogbah is now a teammate of Parker, so it’s likely that the wide receiver probably has the support of his new teammate.
In truth, this spat isn’t likely to last longer than a day or two, but offers some level of amusement as the NFL looks to get back on the field.
