So one of the things that occasionally happens to good journalists is they make people mad. Most of the time it’s because they’ve reported stuff that some people didn’t want reported, written or said unflattering things (even if they’re true) or have an opinion that is unpopular (even if it’s a perfectly valid one.)

But Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker and soon-to-be free agent Simoni Lawrence is freaking out on Twitter because 3DownNation’s Justin Dunk said something nice about him.

Dunk was on TSN 1150 radio in Hamilton Wednesday afternoon and was asked about the Ticats linebacking situation – a valid question given that all three starters, including Lawrence, are pending free agents. The guy behind the @CFL_News twitter account – last seen breaking the Chris Jones-to-the-NFL story – transcribed part of Dunk’s response.

.@JDunk12 – "I feel it might be a shocker for some people but there is some sentiment out there that the price tag for Simoni Lawrence could be a lot higher than the #Ticats are willing to pay him as he gets a little bit up there in age." #CFL via @jimtatti & @TSN_LouisB — CFL News (@CFL_News) January 31, 2019

What Dunk appears to be saying is that the Ticats might not want to pay Lawrence what he’s worth on the open market… which is a compliment. That didn’t stop Lawrence from going on a wee bit of tirade.

Are you mad that I’m not gossiping like all the other players in the league when you ask me questions in my dms and I do t respond I’ll get what I think I want and that’s how I move I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to do I’m a KING DUMMY https://t.co/fhdsAPwQxK — Simoni Lawrence (@Simoni_Lawrence) January 31, 2019

None of you guys ever know what I make because I don’t leak shit I don’t gossip cflpa don’t even know what I make and that’s a fact !!! — Simoni Lawrence (@Simoni_Lawrence) January 31, 2019

Good or bad I’m not gossiping to the media about things in private that’s not how I was bought up. Media guys can’t do they job so they make shit up when they can’t get info from players. — Simoni Lawrence (@Simoni_Lawrence) January 31, 2019

You not good at ya job so you run ask players things to look good at ya job and put shit out lol anyone can do that foh. — Simoni Lawrence (@Simoni_Lawrence) January 31, 2019

I get mad enough the people that care about me will buy 3rd down nation and throw it in the trash . — Simoni Lawrence (@Simoni_Lawrence) January 31, 2019

You being thirsty as shit for info @JDunk12 and being in everybody dms Acquiring for info Is like me being on steroids then talking about I’m good at my job nah you ain’t shit — Simoni Lawrence (@Simoni_Lawrence) January 31, 2019

Cause I know dunk not built like that to say my name out the blue — Simoni Lawrence (@Simoni_Lawrence) February 1, 2019

Okay, so there’s quite a bit to unpack here. First, Dunk has made his name in the CFL media business by developing an excellent network of sources with whom he communicates regularly. So if Dunk has a take it’s likely backed by gathering information from legitimate people around the league.

Now, Lawrence not wanting to participate in that process is perfectly fine. There’s plenty of players that don’t. But Dunk’s diligence is a step that not every reporter and pundit around the league bothers to take before forming and expressing their opinions.

The fact that Lawrence states that the CFLPA doesn’t know what he makes is also interesting. Every CFL contract is registered with both the league and the CFLPA so players and agents can get a sense of the market value. If the CFLPA doesn’t know what Lawrence is making… well, that would be curious. Maybe we’ll get Dunk to look into it.

Also this…

Yeah this seems like a good idea … #cfl pic.twitter.com/orerPh98yc — Logan B (@LoganBBH) February 1, 2019

Meanwhile, another Ticat was annoyed with Dunk earlier in the day.

https://twitter.com/speedybanks87/status/1091037737732460544

I won’t go into his whole Twitter thread because it’s essentially the same argument on repeat: why did Dunk have to report the details of my contract?

Well, that information is readily available in every major professional sports league in North America – except the CFL. And in a salary cap league, what players are getting paid and how their contracts are structured is important to the success of a franchise.

And people want this information: if these posts didn’t do decent traffic for us, we wouldn’t bother to research, write and post them. But they do and so we do – that’s the business we’re in.

Banks also complains that Dunk doesn’t report the details of other players contracts, which is just laughable. He’s done many of these posts and will continue to do so.

And, as with Lawrence, the story about Banks was largely positive – it emphasized that he was now in upper-echelon of the receiver pay scale.

Players are entitled to their opinion and social media gives them an excellent platform to do so. But complaining about what is essentially positive coverage, especially when their complaints are full of falsehoods, is just plain goofy – even by Simoni’s standards.

I’m in another country eating shit I can’t pronounce my birthday in 4 hours and I’m on here talking about @JDunk12 🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️ my bad mom I’m tripping you know I’m emotional 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/fa7uQLUE8S — Simoni Lawrence (@Simoni_Lawrence) February 1, 2019

There was one bit of truth to Lawrence’s rant: his people can buy 3Down if they want. Asking price is $21 million-kajillion. Maybe Speedy can chip in.