This weekend was a rough one for T.J. Neal.
On top of his team’s 19-13 loss to Clemson, the Auburn linebacker compounded the misery by going on a tweet-storm complaining about his lack of playing time:
What a night it been for me. A player who have 25 career starts and many stats Sat on the bench all night . Gots be more than life this.
245 career tackles , 20TFL’s, 2sack ,1 INT, 1FF and All Big ten honorable mention.
I been playing football since 5 years old.
Common sense -- or someone on the Auburn coaching staff, got to Neal later on Sunday.
I want to apologize for my selfish tweets last night, about me.allowing my emotions get the best of me. It a team sport and it not about me
— Tyrone Neal Jr (@Tneal52) September 4, 2016
Great game!there was a lot of fight from the Auburn Tigers on all aspect of the game . I just wish I could of contribute much more.
— Tyrone Neal Jr (@Tneal52) September 4, 2016
I am thankful for the opportunity to play at Auburn university.
— Tyrone Neal Jr (@Tneal52) September 4, 2016
Count your blesses , don't count the things you don't have .
— Tyrone Neal Jr (@Tneal52) September 4, 2016
The time I spent here at Auburn made a stronger individual , smarter student and better player.
— Tyrone Neal Jr (@Tneal52) September 4, 2016
Being upset about a lack of playing time is understandable, but venting that frustration on a public form never works out for the player in question.
When asked Saturday why Neal was passed over for playing time, head coach Gus Malzahn said, “We just went with the guys that (the defensive staff) felt were ready,” according to Auburn Undercover. The site notes that Neal ran with the second- and third-teams in preseason camp.
