Play Action Sports Blog

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*We don’t like to critique the works of fellow writers…we don’t consider ourselves the absolute authority in this profession nor do we like negativity. Life is too short to point out the shortcomings of others. Furthermore, everyone is entitled to their opinion, just as everyone makes mistakes. With this being said, here’s one instance where the Golden rule does not apply.

CBS senior sportswriter Dennis Dodd published an article on Feb. 15, regarding the possibility of “mass transfers” coming from the University of Iowa’s football team, in the wake of the 13 hospitalized players.

He wrote:

“Any or all of those 13 Iowa players hospitalized last month have a chance of playing football in the fall. Somewhere else. A leading compliance authority says it’s a “coin flip” under certain conditions whether some, or all, of those players could transfer immediately without sitting out a year. A long-standing NCAA rule requires Division I football, basketball, football and hockey players to sit out a year if they transfer to another Division I school. Loyola Marymount assistant compliance director John Infante, who started the popular Bylawblog.com website, told CBSSports.com that even if Iowa was found to have no culpability in the players’ conditions after vigorous workouts on Jan. 24, some could get that transfer waiver.”

Articles such as Dodd’s make me nauseous. He has no facts to evidence his assumption, which is that a large number of Iowa players are asking to leave the school. To date, not one student has asked to transfer to another school without being penalized. To date, no one associated with the program has been found of any wrongdoing. To date, we believe this is an example of irresponsible journalism.

As word of the rhabdomyolysis wave washed over U.S. newspapers, former Hawkeyes and those in the profession came out to publicly and fiercely defend head coach Kirk Ferentz and strength coach Chris Doyle. At the very least, Dodd had the decency to include quotes from his support team.

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Former Iowa linebacker and Miami Dolphin A.J. Edds, is one of those proponents. Speaking to Dodd, Edds said, “I have my complete faith and trust in him.”

Toward the end of his article, Dodd stated: “Players were involved in a timed 100-squat exercise that Ferentz said would be eliminated. Versions of that squat workout have been used four times since he arrived at Iowa in 1999, Ferentz said. There had been no previous issues.”

Edds also commented on the afore mentioned exercises: “It’s not like it’s any kind of freshman hazing.” He added, “It’s part of Iowa football. It’s something you do.”

Edds couldn’t have put it more simply; his words echo our sentiments to a tee. Does Dodd or fellow columnist Gregg Doyel (who said the event was inexcusable and hinted Ferentz should be fired, also used the word “negligence”) think this is powder puff, touch football? NO, THIS IS D-1 NCAA FOOTBALL. UNEQUIVOCALLY, IOWA HAWKEYE FOOTBALL. If you’re worried about getting hurt on the field, stay at home with your mom.

We’re not sure if Dodd tried to put forth an honest piece of sports reporting by including both sides or not. The only obvious clarification we can make is that, Dodd concocted a cockamamie story that implied those hospitalized players were looking to leave the university and play elsewhere without red shirting a year. Even the title of the article was jarring and casuistical; at best, it was delusive.

In the instantaneous age of information, bloggers, journalists, analysts and commentators alike must discern the afflictive responsibility entrusted to such a profession. Words are powerful and come attached with consequence.

For a senior writer, this is a rookie mistake.

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© 2011, Kalea Yoshida. All rights reserved.