Odell Willis subjected to racist tweet after win over Bombers

Edmonton Eskimos defensive end Odell Willis was on the receiving end of a particularly nasty and racist tweet after his team’s victory over the Bombers.

https://twitter.com/hillhouse18/status/929857419311595520

Hillhouse’s profile description on Twitter puts him in Winnipeg – and also the “Bassist and founder of Grunge Rock band Her Beautiful Demise” – and his other tweet during Sunday’s Western Semi-Final complained about the Eskimos celebration after a touchdown. Not much by way of Bombers content otherwise.

Willis is black so the Tweet’s references to fried chicken and KFC are overtly offensive and racist – here’s an explanation as to why if you really need it – while the rest of it is just vile and disgusting.

Willis’ response was generous and measured, particularly by comparison.

It seems like somebody didn’t enjoy the results of the game or my play! This is how we coming at ppl now. It’s ok @hillhouse18 Jesus loves u pic.twitter.com/Db4smgQLUb

— Coach Willis “Big Coach” (@KuntryKane205) November 13, 2017

 

Various fans came to Willis’ defence with one Bomber fan making the very salient point on how one person’s ignorant action has the potential to adversely impact an otherwise decent group of people.

It's fools like this that give fanbases bad reps 😒 https://t.co/t0zWgbnuSE

— Nik Kowalski (@nik_kowalski) November 13, 2017

Somebody needs to send Mr. Hillhouse a Diversity Is Strength t-shirt. Or at least explain the basic concept.