I Follow: Marcellus Wiley
Editor’s Note: I Follow is all about ESPN employees on Twitter: what they Tweet, whom they follow and how you can interact socially with anyone and everyone.
Today we highlight “Dat Dude” Marcellus Wiley, who offers his followers feeds on just about everything (literally) ranging from his favorite music, to updates on his dog Lola Nuggets, to his radio show. Wiley’s tweets are all over the map, a microcosm of his weekly trek to and from Bristol.
Wiley is a Columbia University grad who played 10 seasons in the NFL — the Buffalo Bills (1997-2000), San Diego Chargers (2001-03), Dallas Cowboys (2004) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2005-06). He earned Pro Bowl honors after the 2001 season when he led the Chargers with 13 sacks.
Since joining ESPN in 2007, the former All-Pro defensive end has been all over the network. Wiley regularly appears on NFL Live, SportsCenter, and ESPNEWS.
In January 2011, he expanded his ESPN role when he was named co-host of Max & Marcellus on 710AM ESPN Radio Los Angeles. Alongside longtime sports radio host Max Kellerman, the program airs weekdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. PT and features lively discussions on the day’s top sports news and events.
Thursday night at 7 ET on ESPN, watch Wiley and his fellow NFL analysts break down the game on Audibles. Later that night, Wiley will appear on SportsCenter to analyze the Philadelphia Eagles-Seattle Seahawks game.
It’s a typically busy week for Wiley, who celebrates his birthday Wednesday.
Twitter Handle: @marcelluswiley
Followers: *61,358
Following: *2,014
*(As of 11/28/11)
FR: Who is your favorite person to follow on Twitter?
MW: @realskipbayless because he just says it like it is.
FR: You are an accomplished DJ. Do you get suggestions about music from your followers?
MW: All the time. And I also ask them what they like because there is so much music to digest. They’ve really helped me with my new fascination with Dubstep.
FR: Who were you the most suprised follows you on Twitter?
MW: Arsenio Hall. I grew up watching his late night TV show and he’s comedy legend in Coming to America and Harlem Nights. Surprising follower, to say the least.
FR: What’s been your strangest exchange on Twitter (with fan or celebrity)?
MW: As you know, people who write @marcelluswiley or usually followers or supporters. But, people who just write “Marcellus Wiley” sometimes have harsher things to say. So, I love searching “Marcellus Wiley” to hear people critique or just hate on me. Then I reply to them with a joke or sometimes I agree with them. More times than not, they reply, “Oh, I’m sorry…I was just playing.” Haha, sure you were!
FR: Have your Twitter followers increased since you began hosting Max and Marcellus?
MW: Yes, and I interact with my followers live on the air. It’s a crazy experience. People shouldn’t take this for granted. Because 10 years ago, you couldn’t listen live to someone on tv or radio, and instantly reach them. Gots to love it!
FR: What has been the funniest thing you’ve personally seen on Twitter?
MW: It truly isn’t one thing….I always laugh at how many different ways people interpret and joke about a topic or person. No matter what it is, you will find Twitter will slice that up in some of the most ingenious and humorous ways.
FR: To your knowledge, have you ever been a trending topic on Twitter?
MW: No. Maybe, if I took off my shirt on air, hmmmmm!!! Haha, never!
FR: Other than the people you already know, have any people approached you in public and ask you about your Tweets?
MW: All the time. People like that I respond to them. If you say something intelligent I like, I certainly try to give you your props. But say something funny, I’m definitely replying to you.
