Twitter apps and the iPhone get along really well, so no one should be surprised with the number of sports-related Twitter releases.
While the NFL (or at least its players) seems to be the most embracing of the Internet’s next big thing, other sports have dipped their toes in the Twitter app water as well. That means I’ve got good news for you social networking/sports fans: you have plenty of options.
iPhone apps for players
Shockingly, the players with Twitter-related apps are also some of our most eccentric ones. So if you want to follow the guy who changed his name to Ochocinco, the tight end who accidentally posted nude pictures of himself on his blog, a basketball superstar who dreams of becoming a cop or a bearded point guard named ‘BoomDizzle’, then you’re covered.
The Chad Ochocinco Experience is much more than just a Twitter feed — it is, in fact, an experience. Videos, audio clips and a map that shows you where the Bengals’ wide receiver is at all times are included in this ridiculous (not in a bad way) app.
Likewise, Washington Redskins tight end Chris Cooley’s app has multiple features such as pictures, video and links to his blog, as well as a section for Twitter. It’s also free and sans nudity, which is probably for the best.
The app for Los Angeles Clippers point guard Baron Davis is essentially the same as Cooley’s. It’s free and has his Twitter feed, video and pictures, the only difference is that he has no blog – but much cooler facial hair.
Push Shaq is the only one of these that is simply a Twitter feed. As you may be able to guess from its name, this Shaquille O’Neal app will send you push notifications every time ‘The Big Aristotle’ tweets.
iPhone apps for leagues
For those who want to keep an eye on the entire league, the NFL Players Association brings you NFL Pro Tweets. In addition to feeds from tons of NFL players, this app also has an NFLPA news feed. But the best part of this app is the price — it’s free.
Realtime Pro Football ’09 is a similar app, though it gives you feeds from players as well as media members. In all, the app boasts more than 800 Twitter sources and it links to player’s Wikipedia pages. It’s also free, and it may be the most complete football Twitter app available.
A slightly different take on the genre is Twootball. Instead of following player or media accounts, this free app allows you to select a game and then — through Twitter, of course — discuss it with other fans.
The only non-football app that makes this section is asapHockey. The app isn’t exclusive to NHL tweets and info, it also has goodies for minor leagues like the American Hockey League and Ontario Hockey league. This free effort is pretty comparable Realtime in what it tries to do, though it’s not quite as successful.
iPhone apps for teams
Finally, for iPhone users who only care about your favorite team, you’ve also got choices when it comes to Twitter apps. Well, as long as we’re talking about football.
Painted Saw Media has a series of NFL apps, such as Cowboys Tweets, that help you follow the Twitter accounts from your team. So far the company has released apps for 10 teams — Dallas, San Diego, Washington, Cincinnati, New York (Jets and Giants), Cleveland, Baltimore, Buffalo and Tennessee.
Also, they have Skate Tweets and Surf Tweets if you’re interested in following professionals from those sports.
NFL Player Tweets is in many ways the same app, though it also includes local and national media tweets, which is a huge advantage. This app includes the team’s schedule as well, and it is made for all 32 NFL teams.
