There are few things in this life that will never go down well. Pinching someone’s car spot – dog move. Watching another episode of that TV show without your significant other – not nice. Making jokes about Steve Irwin’s death – a huge no-no.
U.S. baseball team the Miami Marlins has been forced to apologise after they posted a tone deaf tweet referencing Irwin’s death during a cheeky social media feud with their rival team the Tampa Bay Rays.
In response to a spicy comment from the Rays, the Marlins tweeted, “YOU’RE LITERALLY THE ANIMAL THAT KILLED STEVE IRWIN LOG OFF.” Resulting in a cringe heard around the world.
The baseball team has since apologised for the joke, writing in a statement, “This was a regrettable exchange by our otherwise creative social media team. Unfortunately, in this medium, sometimes we swing and miss, and this was definitely a miss.”
A spectacular miss at that. Sadly, it’s not the first time the Tampa Bay Rays have found themselves the butt of a bad Steve Irwin joke. In 2013, a fan of the team attended a game holding a poster which depicted the ‘Rays To Do List’ with ‘Steve Irwin’ already crossed off the list. Yikes.
It’s been 13 years since Steve Irwin tragically passed away after being pierced in the heart by a stingray barb while filming an underwater documentary. Since then, Irwin has become a national treasure and a global icon, and it’s because of this that jokes about him will never go down well.
Whether you love him or hate him, the Crocodile Hunter is untouchable. The more time that passes, the more the world celebrates his lasting legacy and the more taking a cheap shot at his death feels tacky and offensive.
Perhaps it’s best we learn from the above and let the jokes rest in peace.