When communication breaks down in a custody battle, things can get messy—but few custody disputes have devolved into quite the emoji showdown now unfolding between ex-NFL star Michael Turner and his ex, Rasheeda Walker-Williamson.
Turner’s baby mama filed a motion for contempt of court earlier this month, claiming he’s violated a judge’s order to pay his share of medical bills and set up required financial accounts. But the real headline? The evidence she’s submitting shows Turner responding to legitimate parental requests—about tuition, healthcare, and childcare costs—with nothing but repeated eggplant and tongue emojis.
Yes, really. When Rasheeda asked for help covering their son’s tuition, she got“Holla at me next year.”When she pointed out she’d been footing the bill for years, Turner’s response was another eggplant emoji. The pattern continued through multiple exchanges, with Rasheeda eventually firing back:“Your responses have consistently been eggplant and tongue emojis. I do not have time for the disrespect or games. I am focused on parenting and making sure the children’s names are met.”His reply? You guessed it—another eggplant.
This isn’t just immature; it’s legally weaponized immaturity. Turner has been paying $7,500 monthly in child support since 2025 for Micah Turner, born in 2009, and Michael Hayden Walker, born in 2011. But according to Rasheeda’s filings, he’s dodging the broader financial obligations a court already told him to meet. When she suggested his current spouse’s income could help cover necessities, Turner shot back that she had a job working for her husband—a dismissal that sidesteps the actual question entirely.
The eggplant emoji defense (if we can even call it that) is a masterclass in non-communication. It’s contempt of court dressed up as a meme. And here’s the thing: judges don’t find this stuff amusing. When you’re ordered to cooperate in child support matters and your response is to treat it like a joke, courts typically respond by finding you in contempt—which can mean fines, attorney fees, or worse. Turner hasn’t yet responded to the motion, but the evidence Rasheeda’s submitting speaks volumes about whether he’s taking his legal obligations seriously.
To make matters worse, Turner’s facing legal action from another ex, Maria Grissom, over unpaid support. One emoji disaster might be written off as a bad day. Two exes pursuing him for non-payment? That’s a pattern. And patterns matter in family court.
About the Author
Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
