Since I know I will never catch a walleye this big, I can say this.
If I caught a walleye that big and I knew for a fact once it was in the net that I had snagged it, there is no way in HELL I'd be releasing it.
I also wouldn't give two shits about being recognized as having caught the state record (especially if I knew I had snagged it), but that beast would be going on the wall.
I highly, highly, HIGHLY doubt any of you Honest Abes on here would be releasing it either.
Regardless of whether or not this fella snagged or mouth-hooked this big walleye, his biggest mistake was letting the cat out of the bag. Not only does he risk losing the fish now, but he already lost his fishing hole!
This type of reaction from other fisherman and the public in general should have been expected. For some reason, a good portion of folks would rather get uptight about someone else's accomplishment than just being happy for the person.