So on Sunday, we posted a little Twitter exchange between Winnipeg Blue Bombers communications man Darren Cameron and Darian Durant, who told Cameron to “stay in your lane” after he questioned Durant’s version of events surrounding the quarterback’s retirement.
But Durant wasn’t done, not by a long shot.
He spent a good portion of Sunday going back at Bomber and CFL fans who questioned the timing of his retirement and the decision to keep the $70,000 signing bonus the Bombers gave him in January. Durant, whose Twitter account was dormant for long stretches over the last couple of years, did not hold back one bit. There are too many Tweets and threads to replicate but here’s a sampling of some of the saltiest bits.
glad I didn’t play there either. The drought continues
— Darian Durant (@dariandurant) May 13, 2018
I’ve also see the way your team has played for decades. Every players run comes to an end. When are u guys gonna win? Crickets?
— Darian Durant (@dariandurant) May 13, 2018
???? your handle is DELUSIONAL for a reason
— Darian Durant (@dariandurant) May 13, 2018
right its not a life lesson it’s a business lesson. Stay in your lane of life and I’ll do the same. ✌????
— Darian Durant (@dariandurant) May 13, 2018
Integrity? Lmao U don’t know shit about me. U read something, run with it, then proceed to message a complete stranger. Where’s your integrity?
— Darian Durant (@dariandurant) May 13, 2018
my legacy speaks for itself. I don’t need any validation from people who don’t know shit about anything
— Darian Durant (@dariandurant) May 13, 2018
what am I doing to my rep? Does anything happen to the reputation of a team when they cut players before bonuses or use guys as camp bodies knowing they aren’t gonna make the team?
— Darian Durant (@dariandurant) May 13, 2018
I’m having fun. For years I sat back and just let people say whatever they wanted
— Darian Durant (@dariandurant) May 13, 2018
I’m just having fun. Nothing wrong with a little back and forth. At the same time players take heat from fans everyday and we’re human. Sometimes it’s ok to defend yourself when rumors are thrown out there
— Darian Durant (@dariandurant) May 13, 2018
that why your opinion doesn’t matter
— Darian Durant (@dariandurant) May 13, 2018
Durant also took the time to thank the countless Rider fans who reached out to express their appreciation for his career and those who voiced their support for his decision.
The whole thing feels like Durant is letting go of some pent-up frustration after taking more than his fair share of abuse from disgruntled fans on social media over the years. Now that he’s retired, he doesn’t have to worry about ‘being a distraction” or running afoul of the CFL’s social media policy. Given how nasty the anonymous Twitter eggs can be, it’s kind of fun to see a player (or former player) actually taking them on and speaking his mind.
As for any damage to his “reputation,” Durant’s made it pretty clear that the only fan base whose opinion matters to him is in Saskatchewan and his legacy in Ridervlle was cemented the second they won the Grey Cup in 2013 on prairie soil. That he’s screwing over the Bombers on his way out the door won’t make him any less popular with the Greem and White faithful – quite the opposite.
