The TCU Horned Frogs football team aims for a promising run in the Big 12 Conference after a 9-4 season in 2025. However, local fans subscribing to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram may miss the in-depth coverage they typically expect.
Recently, the Star-Telegram highlighted an incident within the TCU locker room. This led to senior safety Jacob Fields being dismissed from the team due to an alleged assault on wide receiver Dozie Ezukanma. Though the initial report didn’t name Ezukanma, he acknowledged involvement in a now-deleted Instagram video.
In response, TCU rescinded the Star-Telegram’s credentials for covering Horned Frogs athletics, citing the “health and wellbeing” of student-athletes. TCU’s Athletic Director, Mike Buddie, stated misinformation from an unnamed source endangered a student-athlete and resulted in threats.
“Our primary focus is the health and wellbeing of our student-athletes,” said Buddie. “Misinformation advanced a narrative that endangered a student-athlete and resulted in threats to him and his family.”
This move came close to the Horned Frogs’ season opener against Bill Belichick’s North Carolina team in Dublin. While the paper’s TCU reporter, Steven Johnson, will cover the game from Ireland, he’ll lack media credentials necessary for press box access.
The requirements for the Star-Telegram to regain credentials remain unclear, reflecting the irony of punishing the paper since TCU’s stadium, Amon G. Carter Stadium, honors the founder and publisher of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Banning news organizations from their duties contradicts expected conduct by schools and athletic departments. Given the player’s self-identification, TCU placing blame on the Star-Telegram is perplexing. The move suggests dissatisfaction with negative locker room portrayal.
It’s uncertain if credentials will be reinstated for the upcoming game coverage.