TCU does an about-face after stripping local newspaper's credentials days before football season
TCU Reinstates Press Credentials for Fort Worth Star‑Telegram After Locker‑Room Incident
Fort Worth, Texas – Texas Christian University (TCU) announced that it has restored media credentials to the Fort Worth Star‑Telegram following a brief suspension that occurred just before the Horned Frogs began their football season. The decision came after a series of conversations between university athletics officials and the newspaper’s leadership, according to a statement released by the TCU Athletics Department.
The Star‑Telegram had been stripped of its credentials after a report by the paper’s sports correspondent, Steven Johnson, detailed a locker‑room altercation involving senior safety Jacob Fields, who had already been dismissed from the team. The incident prompted the university to revoke the newspaper’s access to team facilities, leaving Johnson to cover the opening game from the stands. The game, played in Dublin, Ireland, saw the Horned Frogs fall to the University of North Carolina Tar Heels 15‑10.
“Today, TCU Athletics fully restored media credentials to the Fort Worth Star‑Telegram,” the department’s statement read. “In a series of productive discussions, we made clear our position and resolved to move forward. We respect their role as an independent news source and voice in our community, and we look forward to the season ahead.” The statement also highlighted the newspaper’s historical connection to the university’s home field, Amon G. Carter Stadium, named after the Star‑Telegram’s founder and publisher.
The credential revocation sparked confusion and frustration among the Horned Frogs’ fan base and the broader college‑football community. Some observers noted the irony of a university cutting ties with a local newspaper whose namesake donated the land for the stadium where the team plays. Others pointed to the seriousness of the alleged locker‑room incident, which has since resulted in a charge of aggravated assault against former safety Jacob Fields.
The university’s decision to reinstate the credentials signals a willingness to work with the local media as the season progresses. TCU is scheduled to host the Grambling State Tigers on September 12, and the Horned Frogs’ coaching staff and players are preparing for a home‑court comeback after the Ireland loss.
The Fort Worth Star‑Telegram will now have full access to the team’s facilities and can resume in‑person coverage of TCU athletics, including game days, practice sessions, and player interviews. The newspaper’s reporters will be able to provide timely and in‑depth coverage of the Horned Frogs’ journey through the season.
While the details surrounding Jacob Fields’ alleged assault remain under investigation, the university’s swift reversal of its earlier decision reflects a broader commitment to maintaining open communication with the media. As the Horned Frogs gear up for their next opponent, both the university and the newspaper appear ready to move forward, putting the recent discord behind them.
