TCU will not allow the Star-Telegram to cover the college football program (or any athletics program) because of its accurate reporting of a locker room incident that led to the dismissal of wide receiver Jacob Fields. The university revoked the prominent Fort Worth-based publication’s credential because it identified the victim as Dozie Ezukanma.
However, it was actually Dozie Ezukanma who identified himself as the victim.
I would be surprised if TCU does not overturn this ruling prior to the college football season— which starts on Saturday in Ireland. If not, the Horned Frogs deserve all of the criticism for its decision.
Jacob Fields allegedly punched Dozie Ezukanma during a locker room fight.
Former three-star recruit Jacob Fields was projected to start at safety for TCU in 2026. He was dismissed from the team last week.
His removal stemmed from a physical altercation that occurred in the college football locker room near the end of preseason camp. The fight supposedly could’ve been prevented but the coaching staff ignored Fields’ concerns. The fourth-year defensive back felt targeted by his peers with threats and insults. One (or more) of his teammates allegedly spit on him.
Fields reportedly asked his coaches for help but they did not de-escalate the situation. He eventually snapped. The player he attacked in the locker room ended up in the hospital and may not be able to play a full season because of the injuries.
All of above details were first reported by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. A reporter by the name of Steven Johnson was all over it.
Not too long thereafter, veteran wide receiver Dozie Ezukanma gave his first-hand account of what happened in a (since-deleted) post on Instagram. In doing so, Ezukanma revealed that he was the TCU football player who got attacked by Fields.
Johnson reported Ezukanma as the victim after Ezukanma posted on Instagram. That is a very important distinction.
TCU revoked the Star-Telegram’s media credential.
According to the publication itself, TCU decided to rescind the Start-Telegram’s media credential for athletics. The only full-time media outlet devoted to Horned Frogs sports won’t be allowed to cover Horned Frogs sports.
A TCU athletics spokesman told the Star-Telegram that its credentials were being pulled indefinitely because of how it covered the locker room incident. Johnson’s reporting resulted in threats to the victim.
Our primary focus is the health and wellbeing of our student athlete. 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.
— TCU athletics spokesperson Mike Buddie
Despite what the Horned Frogs claim, the Star-Telegram did not identify Dozie Ezukanma until three days after Ezukanma posted on Instagram. TCU has yet to provide its own account of what happened. Johnson ran with a story based on the facts that were presented to him. He went off of the wide receiver’s own words and did not report a name until a name was already revealed.
And yet, the university still decided to revoke Steve Johnson’s credential because his reporting led to threats against Ezukanma. He is not permitted to travel to Ireland this weekend. The Star-Telegram is not permitted to cover TCU athletics.Will it be overturned?