Texas Christian University has banned the Fort Worth Star-Telegram from covering its football games after the newspaper reported on a locker room fight that led to a player's expulsion.
The newspaper announced on Wednesday that the university had "rescinded the Star-Telegram's credentials to cover Horned Frogs athletics" over coverage of the incident by TCU beat writer Steven Johnson.
The incident was first reported by the Star-Telegram on August 18. Last week, it was revealed that transfer safety Jacob Fields was kicked off the Horned Frogs roster following a fight with a teammate in the locker room.
While the victim was not initially named, reports indicated that Fields committed "an alleged aggravated assault with hands, feet or fists." Follow-up reporting identified the victim as wide receiver Dozie Ezukanma.
Jim Barnes, the sports editor for the Star-Telegram, wrote in an article, "In a phone conversation Sunday, a TCU athletics spokesman said the Star-Telegram's credentials were being pulled because the coverage resulted in threats to the victim."
Barnes stated that the newspaper did not name the athlete in its initial reporting and that Ezukanma "identified himself in a now-deleted Instagram video."
Disputed reporting and safety concerns
Mike Buddie, the athletic director at TCU, provided a statement to the newspaper defending the university's decision.
"Our primary focus is the health and wellbeing of our student athlete," Buddie said. "Unfortunately, an unnamed source without first-hand knowledge of the incident provided inaccurate information cited in initial reporting by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, which we strongly disputed."
Buddie added that the reporting had negative consequences for the victim.
"The inclusion of the misinformation advanced a narrative that endangered a student-athlete and resulted in threats to him and his family," Buddie said. "These actions led to the decision to withhold the media credential until additional conversation can be held between athletics and the sports reporting team. We remain dedicated to restoring our student to health as well as focusing on the game that's ahead."
Barnes said that university officials have not "defined what criteria would need to be met to restore the credentials."
Media organizations condemn the ban
The decision by TCU to revoke the newspaper's access has drawn widespread outrage from sports journalists and college football fans on social media.
The presidents of both the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Football Writers Association of America released statements condemning the move by the university. Both are national professional organizations advocating for journalists in sports media.
Journalists took to X to express their dismay. Andrew Marchand, a media reporter for The Athletic, tweeted, "This seems embarrassing by TCU."
Several NFL beat writers also criticised the decision. Scott Salomon said, "They should have an empty press box," while Charean Williams posted, "Boycott covering anything about TCU. Anything."
One college football fan wondered on X, "Genuinely what the f*** did TCU think would be the response to this."
Season opener in Dublin
The media ban comes just days before TCU opens its college football season. The Horned Frogs are scheduled to play the North Carolina Tar Heels this Saturday at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland.
Johnson, the Star-Telegram's beat writer, was preparing to travel to Ireland for the season opener when the news of his credential revocation broke.
In a post on X, Johnson confirmed he was boarding his flight to the Emerald Isle and expressed gratitude for the messages he had received.
"I just want to say I appreciate all the support and those reaching out. It means a lot," Johnson wrote. "As for the situation, I don't have much to say aside from I look forward to continue covering TCU and believe the Frogs have a chance to be pretty good this year."
