Texas Christian University announced Tuesday that it has pulled the Fort Worth Star‑Telegram’s credential to cover Horned Frogs athletics. The university says the newspaper’s August 13 report of a locker‑room altercation contained inaccurate information that endangered a student‑athlete and resulted in threats against him and his family.
University’s concerns
TCU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Buddie emphasized that the primary focus is the health and well‑being of the student‑athlete involved. Buddie said an unnamed source cited in the newspaper’s initial story lacked firsthand knowledge and provided details that TCU disputes.
According to Buddie, the reporting advanced a narrative that put the athlete at risk, prompting the university to withhold the credential until further discussions are held between athletics officials and the Star‑Telegram’s sports team.
Background of the incident
Senior safety Jacob Fields was dismissed on August 18 for violating team rules. The Star‑Telegram reported that Fields’ dismissal followed a physical altercation on August 13 in the John Justin Athletic Center locker room. The newspaper’s initial account quoted a source claiming Fields believed teammates had insulted and threatened him, and that coaches failed to de‑escalate the situation.
TCU officials said they disputed that source’s version in conversations with the paper, but the newspaper did not publish the university’s account.
Additional perspectives
A campus police report filed the day after the incident identified the reporting party only as the general manager for TCU football; the athletics directory lists Ryan Dorchester in that role.
On August 21, another spokesperson for Fields and his family contradicted parts of the earlier source’s story, stating the family did not believe Fields had been bullied. They attributed the tension to competitive play and questionable calls during practice.
Junior wide receiver Dozie Ezukanma later posted a deleted Instagram video identifying himself as the other player involved. Ezukanma said Fields struck him from behind, causing him to lose consciousness when his head hit the floor. The Star‑Telegram could not independently verify the identity of the adult appearing in the video.
Reactions
Shehan Jeyarajah, president of the Football Writers Association of America, publicly opposed TCU’s decision and called for beat reporter Steven Johnson’s credential to be reinstated.
The Star‑Telegram, now owned by McClatchy and ultimately by Chatham Asset Management, maintains a Fort Worth newsroom but has not been locally owned since 1974.
Impact on upcoming game
The credential dispute comes just days before TCU opens its season against North Carolina in Dublin, Ireland. Johnson plans to travel to the game, but the Aer Lingus College Football Classic confirmed that TCU, as the designated home team, controls U.S. media credentials for the event.
TCU has not announced when the Star‑Telegram’s credentials might be restored.
Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.
