There are several social media platforms available to everyone; but has anyone wondered what platforms professional athletes use? Or has anyone ever wondered how they use social media? I'm studying professional athletes' use of Twitter because I want to find out why and how they use the social network, and how they benefit and promote themselves along the way. I want to help my reader understand why it is important for professional athletes to continue using social media. Content analysis will be used to evaluate three specific professional athletes and their use of Twitter. Each of the selected players has a unique story behind them and their use of social media. The three professional athletes I will analyze over a three-month period include: 1) NFL quarterback Mike Vick of the New York Jets, as he uses Twitter almost daily to tweet about his daily activities; 2) Right winger and NHL enforcer Paul Bissonnette of the Phoenix Coyotes, because he uses Twitter to rile up his fans the same way he does his opponents on the ice; and 3) MLB relief pitcher Jason Grilli of the Pittsburgh Pirates, as he owns his own marketing company and is interested in social media work. History of Twitter Use by Professional Athletes Before the idea of ​​Twitter was introduced to the world of sports, athletes could only be reached for a conversation in various, sometimes difficult, ways. Athletes could be contacted for locker room interviews, allowing the public to hear the interviews on radio, television or the team's website. Meetings and autograph signings hosted by team staff are another way to reach athletes to communicate. A third way for pro...... middle of paper ...... Lon. “Say hello to social media.” In The Social Media Bible: Tactics, Tools and Strategies for Business Success. Third ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2009. 39-44. Sanderson, Jimmy. “Prepare the ground”. In It's a Whole New Ball Game: How Social Media is Changing Sports. New York, NY: Hampton Press, 2011. 8-14. Sanderson, Jimmy. “Closer to the Action: Connecting Athletes and Fans.” In It's a Whole New Ball Game: How Social Media is Changing Sports. New York, NY: Hampton Press, 2011. 69-70. Shockley, Justin. 2010. Unfiltered? : A content analysis of professional athletes’ use of “Twitter.” Electronic theses and dissertations. Paper 1729. Vick, Mike. (MikeVick). "I want to let my fans know that I love you all and I wouldn't be in this position without you. Thank you for helping me change my life." January 7, 2014, 5:35 p.m. Tweet. http://bit.ly/1j3LBbV.