Texas BBQ joint owners receive death threats after "joke"

FORT WORTH -- A couple who own a barbecue joint in Fort Worth say they have received threatening phone calls, fake reviews and even death threats for what they called a "joke," reports CBS DFW.

After Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor punched Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista during a baseball game on May 15, Travis Heim and his wife offered the second baseman free barbecue for life.

Heim had 200 "Rougned eats free" t-shirts made, which proved to be popular, quickly selling out. But he found the shirts weren't so popular with some Blue Jays fans.

The family say they received social media threats and profanity laced phone calls, according to the station. One critic wished him a "special special place in hell," while the phone calls were so threatening, Heim had to report them to the police.

He says some critics went after his business, writing fake reviews that claimed the barbecue joint give people food poisoning.

"My wife and I, when we opened [Heim's Barbecue], we had a $100 in our bank account," he told the station. "To me it's a really messed up thing to do."

Heim says he's swearing off social media for now. And as for the t-shirts? Well, he says he is waiting on an order for more.

"I mean, I don't care what a bunch of Canadians think," he added. "We're gonna sell the T-shirts. It's a joke. Get over it."