Lolo Jones' Comment About Ronda Rousey Almost Backfires..Should She Be Surprised?

For some strange reason, I got a kick out of this one.

http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/page/instantawesome-LoloJonesRondaRousey-150803/lolo-jones-joked-last-least-minute-ronda-rousey


It started out innocently enough. After watching Ronda Rousey destroy her latest opponent in 34  seconds, hurdler Lolo Jones took to her Twitter to post the following:

Lolo Jones 

✔@lolojones

How much are these chicks paid to get knocked out in seconds? I cant fight but I'll prolong it and run circles for least a minute #UFC190

1:39 AM - 2 Aug 2015

Lolo Jones (top) said that she could possibly last a minute in the
Octagon against undefeated UFC women's bantamweight champ
Ronda Rousey. While the comment was made as a joke, Jones
caught a tidal wave of cyberheat for the comment. Was it deserved?

This was obviously typed out as a joke. Jones is a world-class athlete. She almost won a gold medal in the 100-meter Olympic hurdles in 2008 (she tripped over the last hurdle while leading) and even made the 2012 Winter Olympic bobsled team, and summer team (4th in 100-meter hurdles) But she's not known as a martial artist or boxer.

While many laughed along with the joke on

early Sunday morning, the tone took a downward turn as the sun rose on Sunday.

The overwhelming cry was "How DARE she even think such a thing?"

The story got funny when Jones got back online, this time on her Facebook account. To paraphrase, she posted the tweet along with an article from Sportsnation. Her message was essentially -- I had to ban countless people (from Facebook)..it happens all the time..maybe now people will understand the constant battle I fight against the media... etc..etc..etc.. The accompanying Sportsnation article (link below) noted that indeed the comment was a joke and people should not be taking it so seriously.

(http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2015/8/2/9087701/no-lolo-jones-didnt-say-she-could-last-a-minute-with-ronda-rousey-ufc-twitter)

Sportsnation is right. The tweet was funny. But Lolo Jones shouldn't be surprised by this reaction, and the fact that she complained on a public forum shows either a touch of naivete or a heavy dose of vanity. "Poor me!!"

After all, Lolo is the best known female in American track and field, unless we are now counting Caitlyn Jenner. While she has competed well, and done many good works off of the track, it is also true that she is very media conscious. For good reason, Jones had no problem embracing the media back when they first found favor with her. And why not? She's genuine, and in journalistic terms "has a good story," one which includes the poverty and homelessness that preceded her athletic accomplishments.

But she has also modeled for magazines, danced (for a week) with the Stars, been featured in a hour long documentary, and shown up boldly at every camera sweep at a track meet. Jones' popularity has made her a divisive figure in track. While she is the most popular female track star, she has also never won an Olympic medal. The fact that she was "oh-so-close" in 2008 is tragic, but true.

Not to fault Lolo. She looks like a model, carries herself well and continues to run strongly enough to compete in hurdle races around the world. Granted, a new crop of athletes have started their takeover. Here is the current world top-5 for the women's 100-meter hurdles for 2015.

1	Sharika NELVIS	12.34	USA
2	Jasmin STOWERS	12.35	USA
3	Dawn HARPER NELSON	12.48	USA
4	Kendra HARRISON	12.50	USA
5	Queen HARRISON	12.52	USA

In fairness, Dawn Harper-Nelson, and Queen Harrison have enough flair and pizzazz to stand out in a crowd. They also dominate many camera angles.

But only Lolo could post a tweet at 1:30 on Sunday morning an have it on the front page of Yahoo within 12 hours.

And she should know that.