Professional athletes provide us with entertainment on the field, and Internet communications now allow athletes to entertain us off the field as well. With the explosion of Twitter, thousands of people get updates on what’s on their favorite athletes’ minds. Due to Twitter’s simple format, athletes can instantaneously reach followers across the globe, which is also what gives head coaches and league executives headaches.

The National Basketball League fined Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban $25,000 for criticizing referees in a Twitter update (“how do they not call a [technical foul] on JR Smith for coming off the bench to taunt our player on the ground”). Milwaukee Bulls forward Charlie Villanueva and Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O’Neal have been reprimanded by their respective teams for posting on Twitter during halftime at games.

The National Football League (NFL) has dealt with its share of Twitter problems. The Minnesota Vikings fined tight end Visanthe Shiancoe for tweeting “Zzzzzz zzzz zzzz zzz (in meetings) lol… introducing the staff.” The San Diego Chargers also fined cornerback Antonio Cromartie $2,000 for posting “Man, we have 2 have the most nasty food of any team. Damn can we upgrade 4 str8 years the same that’s y we can’t [win] the SB we need.”

The Miami Dolphins have effectively banned all use of Twitter in the franchise, while the Green Bay Packers have threatened to impose heavy fines for tweeting during or about team meetings. The NFL has already banned personal electronics from the sidelines during games, and now players are not allowed to post on Twitter from 90 minutes before the game begins until all post-game interviews are completed.

While these precautions may keep some negative information off the Internet, those setting the rules fail to realize all that Twitter does offer. Fans can relate to athletes better than ever simply by reading posts less than 140 characters.

Browsing the Twitter world, fans become acquainted with the non-athletic aspects of athletes’ lives. We see the adventurous Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (“About to take off on this Lil plane. On the way to the safari”). We also see the philanthropic Dwight Howard (“Photos from basketball without borders in south africa”), the popular Dwight Howard (“Jus finished a photoshoot now headed to a film commercial. Yuuuaaa”), the domestically challenged Dwight Howard (I’m at this place where u gotta cook ya own food. Oh lord. Yall pray ion burn nuttin down”) and the simply jubilant Dwight Howard (“Yuuuuuaaaaa”).

We also learn about the driving woes of Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (“just took the test for my Cali drivers license… barely passed… watch out if you’re on the same road as me. kidding… but seriously”), the stealthy Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco (“I feel like running on the field and snatching the ball before the snap and dolphin leap”) and the euphoric Buffalo Bills wide receiver Terrell Owens (“WTH?!!! R u tweeple watching this game?? This is unbetweevable!! Boise jus scored on a ’68 ydr’!!”).

If someone wants to say something, there is going to be an outlet ready for them to do so. I don’t see how posting on Twitter is different from traditional blogging. The athletes want to be heard—let them speak.