In my opinion, criticism of an athlete’s performances is fair game, and I don’t think amateur or professional status really matters when it comes to that.
The idea that fans are somehow supposed to attend an amateur sporting event and not form an opinion about how good the athletes are and/or voice their opinion about that has always seemed bizarre to me. Not being paid for something does not make you immune to criticism.
On the flip side, making a lot of money for doing something does not mean that people should be able to belittle you or threaten you and/or your family. There is a line. I just don’t think that line moves drastically for amateur’s vs professionals.
