The Athletic Reporter Criticized for Focusing on Arch Manning Controversy While Ignoring Josh Jacobs Allegations
An op-ed's strong reaction to a player's joke contrasts with a lack of coverage on serious domestic violence charges against another athlete.
A recent op-ed published by The Athletic has drawn attention for its sharp criticism of Arch Manning and coach Steve Sarkisian regarding an AI-generated video depicting Sarkisian slapping ESPN reporter Holly Rowe. The article, written by Candace Buckner, questions the character of those involved and the media's reaction. However, critics have pointed out a perceived disparity in Buckner's focus, highlighting her silence on more serious allegations against Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs.
Buckner's piece, titled "Did Arch Manning, Steve Sarkisian and cackling reporters act this way? It can’t be real," suggests that the incident revealed "sordid bits of their individual characters." Manning has since apologized for finding the AI-generated clip amusing, and Rowe stated she accepted the apology. Buckner, however, found the apologies insufficient.
In contrast, the same reporter has not published any articles regarding Josh Jacobs, who faces a felony charge for allegedly strangling his ex-girlfriend and was placed on the NFL Commissioner's Exempt list. OutKick reported that The Athletic did not respond to requests for comment regarding Buckner's coverage.
This situation has been framed by some as a broader trend in sports media where "word crimes" receive more attention than "violent crimes." The critique suggests that when public figures make controversial remarks or jokes, such as Harrison Butker's comments on women or Jaxon Dart's introduction of former President Trump, they face significant backlash. However, when athletes are involved in serious legal issues, particularly those involving violence against women, like Rashee Rice's alleged high-speed crash or Jacobs' domestic violence charge, the media response is often less intense or absent.
For example, the article notes that former teammate Rashee Rice's alleged involvement in a high-speed car crash that injured a woman and child reportedly generated less outrage than Butker's commencement speech. This pattern, according to critics, demonstrates a selective application of journalistic scrutiny that prioritizes perceived social transgressions over alleged violent behavior.