TCU Horned Frogs football has suspended the media credentials of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, a decision made just days before the team’s season opener. The athletic department cited the health and wellbeing of student athletes as the primary reason for the move.
The credential revocation follows a recent report by the newspaper regarding an incident in the TCU locker room. The story detailed the dismissal of senior safety Jacob Fields from the football team. According to the report, Fields allegedly assaulted another player, wide receiver Dozie Ezukanma. While the initial article did not name the victim directly, Ezukanma later confirmed his involvement in a now-deleted Instagram video.
TCU athletic director Mike Buddie stated that an unnamed source without first-hand knowledge provided inaccurate information to the Star-Telegram. Buddie said the inclusion of this misinformation advanced a narrative that endangered a student-athlete and resulted in threats to him and his family. The university stated that the credential is withheld until further conversations occur between athletics and the sports reporting team.
The decision impacts the coverage of the upcoming season opener against North Carolina in Dublin, Ireland. Steven Johnson, the Star-Telegram’s TCU reporter, is traveling to cover the game but will no longer have access to the press box. The athletic department has not specified what steps the newspaper must take to regain its credential.
