Leaving an NFL team is never good, whether it is via a trade or a release. It's a decision that can change lives and end beautiful stories between players and their teams.
But like in all things in life, there must be a level of respect. And telling a player to his face what his fate should be is the bare minimum, but there are cases of players learning the next chapter of their lives by scrolling through their cellphones.
Find out three NFL players who learned their futures on social media
Three NFL players who discovered their fate on social media
1, Bud Dupree, Tennessee Titans
Dupree was released by the Tennessee Titans following two underwhelming years after a massive five-year, $82.5 million deal signed in the 2021 free agency. While it was understandable to see why the franchise wanted to end this chapter, the way he found out about losing his job was kind of whack.
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Dupree was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015 before signing with the Titans in 2021.
2, Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks
Speaking of finding out through social media, you can imagine how Richard Sherman felt when he learned about his release by scrolling through his cell phone.
It wasn't exactly a surprise for him, since he gave an interview days before saying that he did not expect to be with the Seahawks in 2018. But they failed to communicate with him before making an official announcement, which, as he said months later, played a part in him signing with Seattle's rival, the San Francisco 49ers, in free agency.
Sherman played for three years with the 49ers and finished his career after a sole season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021.
3, DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans
Hopkins' relationship with the franchise came sour months earlier when he started to have problems with head coach Bill O'Brien. But he learned about the trade while scrolling through his Twitter timeline, as he told a reporter days later:
"I found out through social media. Like, I woke up, and I seen it on Twitter. And then, you know, that's how I found out I was traded."
Hopkins is on the trade block, with the Cardinals looking to trade the star wide receiver.
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