But Twitter has changed that. Now, I expect much more from my jocks, at least those that tweet. For those that have not embraced this social media platform, call your agent, get registered, and read the rest of this post. For the hundreds who are tweeting, here are the seven that are worth following (in no particular order)

1. Chad Ochocinco, NFL. The former Chad Johnson was a must follow before he was even on Twitter. Is there a professional athlete more born to tweet than this guy? From his recent announcement he would tweet during a game–since shot down by the NFL–to what-you-know-will-be future seasonal tweets ripping Carson Palmer for checking down to the tight end, Ochocinco is serves up a daily dose of sweet tweets. Here he talks smack with Chargers DB Antonio Cromartie:

1. 
   OGOchoCinco @crimetime31 child please, you couldn’t touch me in a phone booth, straight up!!!! I get to LA Sunday night, make sure you make theworkout 12 Jul 2009 from web in reply to crimetime31
2. 
   OGOchoCinco @crimetime31 F the money, I am gonna enjoy checking your name off that checklist in my locker, you and Ferryman!!!! 12 Jul 2009 from web in reply to crimetime31

Just classic. Next, Ochocinco offers up inspirational tweets-

1. 
   OGOchoCinco You know them days when you wake up and you just feel good for no reason at all, this is one of them days 12 Jul 2009 from txt
2. 
   OGOchoCinco These days are limited throughout the year so I call it a day for celebrating. 12 Jul 2009 from txt

If you read this dude’s feed with any regularity, he did so with a Rocky Patel cigar and a 6-pack of red bull.

2. Christina Kim, LPGA. OK, Kim is a professional golfer, but be prepared for tweets reviewing digital cameras, sushi, and her download on the new LPGA commissioner:

1. 
   TheChristinaKim Just went live on the Golf Channel re the Commissioner of the LPGA, past and future… I didn’t vomit, so there’s a win!!!! 13 Jul 2009 from UberTwitter
2. 
   TheChristinaKim Please join me in welcoming the Acting Commissioner to the LPGA, Marsha “Marty” Evans!!!! She’s an inspiration!!!! 13 Jul 2009 from UberTwitter

I must dispense with a little social media advice for Kim–READ your tweet before you send it. We love the candidness, though.

3. Lance Armstrong, Cycling. OK, full disclosure. I’m a Lance guy. His book about his comeback from testicular cancer is one of the best inspirational sports books I’ve read. His story fascinates me. The guy is one of the greatest ahltetes of our generation. That being said, in this jaded sports climate we live in, it’s necessary to be suspicious of his use of PED’s, just like all athletes. There is too much circumstantial evidence to believe the contrary. But with this guy, I don’t care. I’ve fallen to hard. Full blown man-crush. His tweets are a good mix of observation, promotion and humor. Just like Lance.

1. 
   lancearmstrong On the plane to Limoges. It’s about 120 degrees in here. Hotter than donut grease. Haha. 12 Jul 2009 from UberTwitter
2. 
   lancearmstrong My – oh – my … http://bit.ly/IkK4V 13 Jul 2009 from web
3. 
   lancearmstrong Relaxing in the room, listening to the Stones. I love my life but wouldn’t mind being Mick Jagger for a day. Know what I mean? 13 Jul 2009 from UberTwitter

4. Shaquille O’Neal, NBA. Shaq’s running ‘yo momma’ dialogue with comedian Kevin Hart is another reason–like I needed one–why I love Twitter. Us regular folk can listen in on the smackoff, which we never would be able to otherwise. Here’s the latest:

1. 
   THE_REAL_SHAQ @kevinhart. Yo Mama so fat Her cereal bowl came with a lifeguard.Yo Mama so fat She went to Jenny craig, jenny said we dnt do miracles 30 Jun 2009 from TwitterBerry
2. 
   THE_REAL_SHAQ @KevinHart4real if yur momma was blonde her name would midget nielson 04 Jul 2009 from TweetGenius

Then there are the ‘random acts of Shaqness’ tweets:

1. 
   THE_REAL_SHAQ “Treat people as u expect them to be, not as they are”.Have a safe fourth of july

   04 Jul 2009 from TwitterBerry

2. 
   THE_REAL_SHAQ Just because your certified , doesn’t mean your qualified 07 Jul 2009 from TweetGenius

One common thread amongst these athletes? Authenticity of voice. Although I have never spoken to any of them personally, all the interviews I have heard, or in Armstrong’s case, books I have read, mirror the tone and cadance of their tweets.

As O’Neal likes to preach, ‘this is the Real Shaq. Don’t fall for any fakers.’

What athletes do you follow on Twitter? Send us your comments and feedback to @BTsports.

Jon Kerr is a co-editor of BreakingTweets Sports. You can find him on Twitter @enlightnedmedia.

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"USA vs. Honduras 0-1, honduras just got a nice goal." TwitPic posted by @ratekin	"USA VS. Honduras!! Amazingg seats! GO USA!!!" TwitPic posted by @MOgulnick	"Currently at Soldiers Field awaiting the start of the USA/Honduras World Cup Qualifier." TwitPic posted by @RaspberryDuff
"Can't wait for my 1st @ussoccer home game! Today, nice to be @SoldierField w all of Honduras" TwitPic posted by @tanyakeith	"At soldier field for USA vs Honduras" TwitPic posted by @ozdigitalllc	"Look at all that blue and white. Um, go home Honduras!!" TwitPic posted by @samthrax
"There is an impressive amount of honduras fans here" TwitPic posted by @coatney	"Honduras vs US soccer match @ soldier field. game starts @ 7pm already tailgating Honduran style" TwitPic posted by @mariyasan	"Fans outside the Honduras hotel. Crazy" TwitPic posted by @brianching Player for Houston Dynamo MLS team
"Not a bad view. Wish i was playing though." TwitPic posted by @brianching Player for Houston Dynamo MLS team	"The boys defend a Honduran corner kick." TwitPic posted by @samthrax	Thanks for the great TwitPics everyone!

Got a great TwitPic from the game? Or a lively scene outside the stadium or at a bar? Tweet it to us @BTSports!

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One key player who watched from the sidelines is U.S. forward  Brian Ching, who injured his hamstring earlier in the week and could not play. Ching has played for the U.S. national team since 2003 and has a day job with the MLS’s Houston Dynamo.

I caught up with Ching on his way back to the US from Costa Rica. We tweeted about the game and why the U.S. got rolled over.

Brian Ching says farewell to Costa Rica

1. 
   BTsports @brianching What’s up? Enjoy the tweets and pics from Costa Rica. Our website tweeted on game last night. Can we ask you a few questions? 04 Jun 2009 from web
2. 
   brianching @BTsports yeah ill answer a few questions fire away 04 Jun 2009 from mobile web
3. 
   BTsports @brianching Thanks. Not the result you guys wanted last night. With a night to sleep on it, what happened? 04 Jun 2009 from web
4. 
   brianching @BTsports they came out and got a ton of confidence from their goal. We struggled with the surface early 04 Jun 2009 from mobile web
5. 
   brianching @BTsports that put us on our heels for most of the game. Give them credit they had a good game. 04 Jun 2009 from txt
6. 
   BTsports @brianching The home field advantage was obvious. With your injury, Bradley forced to adjust lineup, go younger. Was that a factor? 04 Jun 2009 from web
7. 
   brianching @BTsports no I just think that we as a team didnt play well. Everyone struggled. Early mistakes made it difficult climb 04 Jun 2009 from txt
8. 
   brianching @BTsports out of the hole. When u fall behind away its easier for the other team to gain confidence and forces us to take chances 04 Jun 2009 from txt

1. 
   BTsports @brianching Thanks for chat, I know you just arrived at team hotel. You picked a good day to come to Chicago. No palm trees, though. 04 Jun 2009 from web
2. 
   BTsports @brianching Good luck Saturday against Honduras. Atmosphere will be electric. 04 Jun 2009 from web

Pools and palm trees...many perks of playing pro soccer

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In light of recent news that the LPGA is encouraging their players to tweet during rounds, no professional sport has more of their own embracing the technology.

And no athlete is embracing Twitter like Christina Kim.

professional golfer and Uber Twitterer Christina Kim

Ranked 41st in the LPGA, Kim has two career victories and has earned over $3 million in 7 seasons on tour. Not bad. But Christina has more interests beyond sand traps and pitching wedges. How do I know? Just subscribe to her Twitter feed @thechristinakim. It’s a potpourri of random thoughts, engaging outburts, and photos of her and her friends in goofy poses.

who says golfers can't have fun?

I tracked down the frenetic Kim at dinner Thursday night and we had a brief tweet chat (which she squeezed in between 6 or 7 other tweet-versations):

1. 
   BTsports @thechristinakim We love your tweets…dig the sushi platter pic! We’d like to ask you a few questions about Twitter. Do you mind? 29 May 2009 from web
2. 
   TheChristinaKim @BTsports sure thing, not at all!!! Let’s throw down!! 29 May 2009 from UberTwitter in reply to BTsports
3. 
   BTsports @thechristinakim Awesome. Your commish came out and said she would “love it” if players tweeted during rounds. Have you? 29 May 2009 from web
4. 
   TheChristinaKim @BTsports lol, no I am just tweeting about what is in front of me and at the front of my mind. I just tweet about what is important to me, 29 May 2009 from UberTwitter in reply to BTsports

1. 
   BTsports @thechristinakim One moment you are tweeting about clubs, the next about a new camera, then a charity event. Are you reaching more fans? 29 May 2009 from web
2. 
   TheChristinaKim @BTsports club tweets tend to happen when I’m at the course, and then afterwards, anything goes with me! Photography, charities, TV shows… 29 May 2009 from UberTwitter in reply to BTsports
3. 
   BTsports @thechristinakim hockey, tennis, sushi your twts seem to be an extension of who you are. During a round, would you ever twt before a shot? 29 May 2009 from web
4. 
   TheChristinaKim @BTsports idk… I miiiiight… Don’t knock it till you try it! Lol!!! 29 May 2009 from UberTwitter in reply to BTsports
5. 
   BTsports @thechristinakim I can see it- You’re on a downhill slope, green playing a bit left to right…left edge…get there…get there…yes! Next 29 May 2009 from web

Find a tweeting athlete? Keep us in the loop @BTsports.

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