TCU Pulls Reporter’s Credentials After Reporting On Locker Room Incident: REPORT

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TCU Pulls Reporter’s Credentials After Reporting On Locker Room Incident: REPORT

Texas Christian University rescinded the press credentials of a Forth Worth Star-Telegram reporter over his coverage of an alleged locker room assault that resulted in one player being dismissed from the team, according to a report Wednesday from the newspaper.

Steven Johnson, the reporter, lost his credentials Sunday because his reporting allegedly led to threats against the victim of the Aug. 13 assault. Johnson was slated to cover Saturday’s game between the Horned Frogs and North Carolina Tar Heels, which will take place in Dublin, Ireland. Johnson still plans on making the trip to Dublin for the contest.

The Star-Telegram is the only media outlet in the area that provides coverage of TCU athletics full-time. (RELATED: Ole Miss Allegedly Gets FBI To Sweep For Bugs Following Lane Kiffin’s Departure To LSU)

Earlier in August, safety Jacob Fields was dismissed from the program after allegedly fighting his teammate in the locker room. The tension between Fields and his teammates began in fall camp, with Fields reportedly feeling “targeted by teammates with insults and threats, including multiple moments when [he] was allegedly spit on by a teammate,” per Yahoo Sports. However, a person close to Fields later disputed that characterization, stating that Fields “didn’t face bullying or mistreatment” prior to the incident. Rather, tension built because of “competitive football and some questionable plays in practice.”

Fields was dismissed by TCU five days following the alleged locker room assault. The next day, the general manager of the program called campus police.

The Star-Telegram has provided extensive coverage of the incident, but the outlet stated that it didn’t identify the alleged victim until he outed himself online.

Dozie Ezukanma, a junior wide receiver, spoke about the incident in an Instagram video that has since been deleted. He claimed in the video that Fields hit him from behind and he became unconscious when he hit the ground.

“How you gon’ sucker punch me, bro? That’s your teammate,” said Ezukanma in the video, per the Star-Telegram.

Mike Buddie, TCU’s athletic director, blamed the Star-Telegram for putting Ezukanma in danger due to its reporting.

“Our primary focus is the health and wellbeing of our student athlete,” Buddie said in an official statement Tuesday, per the Star-Telegram. “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.”

“The inclusion of the misinformation advanced a narrative that endangered a student-athlete and resulted in threats to him and his family. 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.”