Sept. 26
By Jimmy Hyams
Message boards and twitter are dangerous outlets to gather accurate news.
The posts can range from absurd to preposterous to ridiculous.
But, sometimes, they can also be correct.
That’s why, as a journalist, you have an obligation to investigate, no matter how far fetched a thread might be.
That was the case recently when posts surfaced that Tennessee safety Nigel Warrior had punched defensive tackle Shy Tuttle in the face last week, fracturing the orbital bone in one of his eyes.
Four sources told me by Monday morning that Warrior had punched Tuttle, but not all agreed that Tuttle had suffered a fractured orbital bone.
I did not report any of this before Tennessee coach Butch Jones’ press conference around 12:15 p.m. on Monday.
Instead, I asked him a question at the presser: Was Tuttle’s injury caused by a teammate?
I have no doubt Jones was prepared to be asked that question.
He could have said: Yes.
He could have said: No.
He could have said: We don’t always discuss details of injuries. The word always is key because Jones has explained some injuries, i.e., saying linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. suffered a knee injury during a non-contact incident at practice.
Instead, Jones went in a different direction.
“Football is an emotional game,’’ Jones said. “It is a competitive game.’’
That response seemed like a prelude to explaining that, yes indeed, sometimes teammates get into skirmishes at practice.
But that’s not where Jones went. Instead, he said: “The injury was caused not by a teammate. He (Tuttle) landed on a helmet and that’s the truth.’’
Then he went on an intriguing lecture:
“I think we have to understand, what do we want out of our media? This place with the drama, and again, these are kids and I think we all have children and we’re all adults. Are we focused on Tennessee football from a recruiting standpoint, from all the positive things we’ve done, from all the positive things this football program brings to the community, this great fan base? Are we in the reality world of TV?
“I think all of us as human have to self-check ourselves, and you may not like that answer, but I’m a father, I have three boys and I think we sometimes got to put ourselves in a role of a parent as well. And I understand we all have jobs to do. My expectations as the head football coach, I’m the caretaker of Tennessee football.
“I’m here to develop and grow the football program, recruit the best possible student-athletes to represent the University of Tennessee and win football games and graduate our players. That’s my responsibility. I take that very seriously. But also, I love our kids and I’m going to protect our players and I’m going to protect our programs. Sometimes the negativity is overwhelming.
“If everyone is Vols fans, how do we let our opponents use this in the recruiting process with fake news? Sometimes, again, we have to check ourselves. What are we here for? What’s our values and principles that guide our life every single day? And I appreciate everyone in this room.
“You guys have a job to do, and I’m respectful of that. I’m friends with a lot of you guys in the room and I appreciate it, but also there comes a certain time where enough is enough. So, thank you. You guys have a great day. I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday. Go Vols.”
I’m not sure why Jones felt it necessary to go in that direction. But he did. And in doing so, he made the Tuttle issue a bigger story.
I’ve yet to find anyone who believes Tuttle was actually injured when he fell on a helmet.
If he didn’t fall on a helmet, then that’s Jones providing the fake news that he detests.
I expected many in the Vol Nation to blast me for asking a question that I felt should have been asked. Instead, the responses I’ve received on my email account and text messages have not been favorable for Jones.
One said: `”Butch Jones just dug his grave.’’
Another: “He has gone off the rocker.’’
“He really has embarrassed Tennessee football,’’ said another.
“He just proved he’s in over his head,’’ was another text message.
“I think he’s feeling the pressure,’’ said another.
Then came this one: “Word of advice to you – if you stumble, watch out for helmets! I heard they can put an eye out.’’
I’m not sure if we’ll ever know exactly what happened between Warrior and Tuttle.
But after listening to Jones’ two-minute lecture, I was reminded of what a dear friend of mine once told me years ago:
You never get in trouble for what you don’t say.
At Monday’s press conference, that would have been sage advice for Butch Jones.
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