Kelsey Williams PHOTOS; OKlahoma City Thunder Cheerleader Criticized For Being Too Chunky [VIDEO]
Kelsey Williams, an Oklahoma City Thunder cheerleader has made headlines for being criticized by a freelance sports blogger for being too fat.
The Daily Mail reported that CBS' Houston blogger Claire Crawford, whose real name is Anna-Megan Raley received harsh backlash on Wednesday, Apr. 24 after she reportedly questioned readers if Williams was "too chunky" to cheerlead. "[Williams] has been criticized by some folks in [Oklahoma] for having 'pudginess' around her waistline," she wrote. "Is this chick 'too chunky' to be a cheerleader?"
"But if she's comfortable wearing that tiny outfit and dancing for NBA fans, then good for her," Crawford added. "Besides . . . not every man likes women to be toothpick skinny. I'd say most men prefer a little extra meat on her bones."
A poll then asked visitors to the site to weigh in or if they agree with her or not.
Three choices were given: "She has the perfect look to be an NBA cheerleader," or "She could use some tightening up in her midsection," and "She has no business wearing that outfit in front of people."
Angry fans and commentators were outraged with Crawford's post and demanded the reporter be fired.
"It's a hateful attack on a beautiful, talented, motivated woman, and articles like this contribute to the degradation of society, as well as the negative body image so many women struggle with BECAUSE of media outlets," a user wrote.
Another commentator posted: "You should be ashamed of yourself... This is disgusting... You're cruel. GROW UP.'
Crawford's work on the sports site has been taken down. All of her social media accounts have been deleted.
Williams, however is not letting the criticism get the best of her. She thanked her fans for the outpouring support.
"We wouldn't know what blessings were if we didn't go through trials. Thank you to EVERYONE for the compassion and love today. I'm in awe."
"To be womanly always, discouraged never," she added on her Twitter account.