Draping a Flag and Hurling Slurs Are Not the Same Thing

To put it bluntly, what Rory McIlroy had to deal with at Bethpage Black on Saturday was a shitstorm. Some of the insults, some of the vulgarity that was hurled in his direction was disgusting. I mean, this is just one example:

The worst part, like Zephyr mentioned in the post, is that the person who did this thought it wasn’t only funny, but appropriate behavior by posting it online.

On Monday, a video started to make its rounds on Twitter that shows Rory covering up Bryson DeChambeau’s name with a European flag. And believe it or not, some people on social media are trying to put the two things in the same conversation.

Am I taking crazy pills? In what universe is playfully draping a flag over a member of Team USA’s name on the same level as being called homophobic slurs and having beers thrown at you and your wife?

Is it because it’s Bryson DeChambeau? A player who told People he would be “chirping in (Rory’s) ear this time…if we go up against each other, I mean, you can be sure of it.” This comes after Bryson was peeved at Rory that he didn’t talk to him while the Northern Irishman was trying to complete the Career Grand Slam.

These players are rivals, there’s going to be a little trash talk. Comparing that to what Rory dealt with at the Ryder Cup is absurd.

If you can't see that, you're part of the problem.