Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz calls fan message boards a ‘cesspool’ during Ahmad Hardy update
Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz criticised online fan message boards as a “cesspool” while addressing repeated questions about running back Ahmad Hardy’s return. He said he would share news when there was an update, stressing that no return date had been set.
The Tigers are 5-1 after consecutive home wins over Florida and Texas A&M, despite playing without Hardy, a unanimous All-American in 2025. Hardy suffered a gunshot wound in May and is recovering as he works towards returning to football; Drinkwitz’s remarks echo comments by Texas A&M coach Mike Elko about his own team’s fan forums.
- Drinkwitz says he will announce an update on Hardy when there is one.
- Hardy is recovering from a gunshot wound, with no return date set.
- Missouri is 5-1 despite missing its 2025 unanimous All-American running back.
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Missouri’s Tigers are a university American football team whose head coach, Eli Drinkwitz, leads the programme and speaks to reporters about the squad. Running back Ahmad Hardy, a player who carries the ball and can be central to the attack, was named a unanimous All-American in 2025, meaning the selectors agreed he was among the country’s top players at his position.
Hardy suffered a gunshot wound in May and has been recovering while working towards a return to football. His absence matters to Missouri’s plans, but a return depends on his recovery, and coaches have not given a date. Fan message boards are online forums where supporters discuss their teams; coaches at other universities, including Texas A&M’s Mike Elko, have also criticised such forums.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Fan message boards can become a cesspool when speculation about a player’s serious injury overwhelms reliable information and respect for his privacy. Drinkwitz may reasonably want to stop repeated questions from fuelling rumours, protect Hardy’s recovery, and make clear that he will share news when there is something confirmed.
The case against
Criticising message boards in broad terms may dismiss fans who are asking out of genuine concern and trying to understand an uncertain situation. Supporters also have a legitimate interest in the team, and a more specific explanation of what can and cannot be shared could address their questions without appearing to rebuke them.
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