Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard likes the city of Indianapolis, likes the people he works with, and likes the fans of the team...to a degree. Just don't ask him about what people say online because he will tell you those people who disrespect him on social media are "chickens***."
Classy. That wouldn't be a way to describe a way Ballard recently spoke to 107.5 The Fan's morning show about people who comment on X and other outlets about the relative lack of success the GM has had in nine years.
Ballard said, "One day (my leaving) will happen here in Indy sooner or later. I can't tell the future. There's nothing more that I want than to win for the fans of this city. They deserve it...Look, they're respectful. I know on social media they're not respectful because they're too chickens*** to come say it in person."
Chris Ballard doesn't like what Indianapolis Colts fans have to say on social media
Goodness. Chris Ballard doesn't seem to be aware that not all Colts fans are able to come to games. If that were so, there would only be 67,000 Indy fans, and that would be bad. There are millions, and many like to comment on social media because they can. Good or bad, informed or not, a person has a right to speak what they think is the truth.
What is also odd is that in what setting would Ballard hold a fan forum to hear feedback? He holds press conferences, of course, but those aren't fans asking questions; reporters are doing so and a reporter's job is to try to be objective.
Fans shouldn't be, which is the entire point of fandom. If Ballard doesn't like what is being said online, and basically implying people to say what the write on social media to his face (which is odd), then he simply needs to build an entire roster of good players instead of being good at certain positions.
Possibly, the general manager could create teams, which is his job, that go to the playoffs more than twice in nine years as his team has done in his tenure. Ultimately, while he gets paid by the Indianapolis Colts, the people supplying his salary are those buying the tickets, merchandise, and everything else Colts-related: The fans.
The pushback to Ballard's words were immediate, but he would have to go on social media to see them, of course. Would he respond to the commenter and ask them to have a conversation in person? Of course, not.
One X poster wrote, "Well, Chris, how else are we supposed to get our message across? It’s not like us fans can just wander into your 2 press conferences a year and show our anger."
Another wrote, "Would he like to have a town hall with Colts fans? I’d proudly say everything I say online to his face. Name a time and place, Ballard, we’ll be there."
Another added, "Chris Ballard has to be the least self-aware GM in the NFL. A single playoff win in his tenure, and constantly whiffs on QBs. F****** accomplish something if you don't want people to talk s***."
Could any of these people protesting Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard's recent words about online fans actually run a team? Unlikely. They may argue they could run Indy better than Ballard, though.
After all, every other team in the AFC South has won the division at least twice in Ballard's nine years. The Colts haven't won the division once.