49ers Kicker David Akers Quits Twitter After Receiving Death Threat

by Doug Kyed on Sat, Dec 22, 2012 at 8:55AM

For some reason, a number of Internet users think they can say and do whatever they want just because “it’s on the Internet.” Well, the Internet can give you a mask of anonymity, but a death threat is a death threat.

San Francisco 49ers kicker David Akers apparently decided the connection between himself and fans wasn’t worth the trouble of having his life threatened. He has deactivated his Twitter account after receiving and retweeting a death threat.

Twitter user @RIP_FreeLaddin tweeted, “YOU F—-OT IF YOU MISS ONE MORE FIELD GOAL YOU ABOUT TO GET YOUR ENTIRE LIFE ENDED” to Akers on Wednesday night. Akers retweeted the threat, then disabled his account, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.

Akers has struggled this season for the 49ers, missing 10 of 35 field goals. San Francisco recently brought in veteran kickers Nate Kaeding and Billy Cundiff for workouts after Akers struggled.

Akers set an NFL record for total field goals made last season with 44 but could be at risk of losing his job. Jim Harbaugh said he’s not thinking of making a change at kicker but didn’t offer encouraging words for the veteran.

“Specialists sometimes only get four or five opportunities a game, and you’ve got to make the play,” Harbaugh told the San Francisco Chronicle. “You’ve got to see him do it, got to see him make those plays.”

Akers has been fairly consistent in short-yardage situations, hitting all eight kicks inside 30 yards and 10 of 12 from 30 to 39 yards. He’s six of 10 from 40 to 49 yards and one of five from 50-plus yards.

No matter how many misses he has this season, it’s inexcusable to be sending death threats to anyone on Twitter, much less a football player. San Francisco wide receiver Kyle Williams also received death threats last season after dropping two punts in the NFC Championship game. San Francisco running back Brandon Jacobs got a three-game suspension for arguing with fans on Twitter.

It may be wise for the 49ers to just stay away from Twitter in general.

Thumbnail via Facebook/NBCPhiladelphia