'Disgusting' tweets after Orlando shooting cause Canadian punter Jon Ryan to leave social media

Every one needs to disconnect from social media every once in a while, but Regina-born NFL punter Jon Ryan doesn't plan on reactivating his accounts.

The Seattle Seahawks player is known for embracing his fans by meeting and interacting with them in person and through social media, but a recent flurry of hateful tweets have caused Ryan to kick his Twitter and Instagram accounts to the curb.

Like many celebrities and athletes, Ryan tweeted his condolences after the Orlando shooting.

"I put a simple tweet basically wanting people to spread love and think about those in Orlando but some people didn't like that," said Ryan on CBC's The Morning Edition.

Ryan says he was disheartened to see people justifying the attack of a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla. that left 50 dead and 53 others injured.

"The people that were murdered that day happened to be gay and people thought it was OK and thought very awful things," he said.

"It was the most disgusting thing I've ever seen on my Twitter and my Instagram and at one point I told the guy what I thought of him and I just decided I wasn't going to let my page breed hate." 

The football player says he misses being able to interact with fans through social media but doesn't regret pressing delete.

"I like being away from it. It was like I went through a bad breakup and now I'm free," said Ryan.

He says he's finding a new platform for his voice through a Seattle Seahawks podcast that will hit the airwaves later this fall.

Charity Golf Classic

In the meantime, Ryan is greeting fans in his hometown and preparing for his marriage to comedian and New York Times best-selling author Sarah Colonna. 

The Fourth annual Jon Ryan Charity Golf Classic Tournament will take place this Thursday at the the Royal Regina Golf Club.

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"I'm a very bad golfer but I love being out there and love to see people and being able to talk to everyone," said Ryan.

The proceeds to the sold out event will go towards supplying equipment to the Regina Minor Football league.

Ryan says he looks forward to the event each year and enjoys meeting with young football players.
 
"They're pretty cool little kids. I remember playing football that same age in Regina Minor Football, that time it was 12 and under so I was an eight-year-old getting my butt kicked by 12-year-olds," said Ryan.

"So it's kind of cool now they can play with kids their same size and same age and learn the game at a young age."

A portion of the money raised will also continue to fund the Bob Ryan Scholarship at the University of Regina.