The season will roll on for the Houston Rockets. The same can’t be said for their digital communications manager.
The team fired Chad Shanks, the man responsible for the controversial gun pointed at a horses head emoji tweet that was sent out as the Rockets finished off the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5, a team spokesperson confirmed to the Houston Chronicle on Wednesday. The team deleted the offensive tweet and issued an apology shortly after.
Shanks also took to Twitter to announce he no longer is with the organization.
[tweet https://twitter.com/chadjshanks/status/593496214575788032 align=’center’]
[tweet https://twitter.com/chadjshanks/status/593496504549015554 align=’center’]
[tweet https://twitter.com/chadjshanks/status/593496813967015936 align=’center’]
Shanks told the Chronicle he never intended to offend anyone with his “edgy jab,” and he has no ill will toward the team.
“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunities and experiences I got from the Rockets and know they acted in what they thought was their best interest (to) avoid any more controversy,” Shanks said, per the Chronicle. “I didn’t mean to advocate violence toward animals; just let my emotions get the best of me in a jab at the Mavs that was not very well thought out.
“I’m proud of my four seasons of award winning work with the Rockets and will always be a fan. I wish there would’ve been another method of punishment, but I have no ill feelings toward them. I loved my job.”
Shanks’ Twitter bio also received an update to reflect the dismissal.
He’ll probably be tweeting less emojis now, too.
Thumbnail photo via Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports Images
