Twitter responses to Barker letter show supporters on both sides

September 29, 2012; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeye cornerback Micah Hyde (18) tackles Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver A.J. Barker (82) in the second half at Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes beat the Gophers 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-US PRESSWIRE

Former Gopher A.J. Barker’s Twitter account received more than 2,000 new followers within 48 hours of his first tweet announcing he was leaving the University of Minnesota football program.

Not everyone jumped on Barker’s ship against Kill, including many others who went on Twitter to tell Barker how they, as fans, really felt.

The following are several responses to his tweets:

@a_barker_82 congrats. proud of you for standing up for yourself. so hard to do under those circumstances. much respect and support.

— SKOTT.DALTONIC (@skottdaltonic) November 19, 2012

@a_barker_82 thank you and good luck in the future please forward all future responses to Santa — Aaron Saxton (@asaxton77) November 19, 2012

@a_barker_82 your character is a whiny selfish quitter, glad you aren’t representing the Gophers anymore. Gopher Nation deserves better. — Philip Ford (@Pford6) November 19, 2012

@a_barker_82 Kid, grow up and shut up. The loudest one in the room is the weakest one in the room. You’re quitting, we got it.

— Mitch Carlson (@the_bigMC) November 19, 2012

@a_barker_82 It’s easy to do what’s popular. It’s difficult to do what’s right.

— THE P.R.O. (@theproismusic) November 19, 2012

@a_barker_82 You are an idiot and are not entitled to anything. You sure seem to be loving the spotlight. I hope no one takes you.

— Andy Neborak (@AndyNeborak) November 19, 2012