 "Photo: N/A")
Between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Feb. 25, members of the football team stole editions of The East Texan, which were distributed throughout campus newspaper racks.
On Feb. 26, Crime Information Officer Lt. Jason Bone interviewed head coach of the football team Guy Morriss, who said he advocated his players’ actions.
“I’m proud of my players for doing that,” he said. “This was the best team building exercise we have ever done.”
President Dan Jones said he met with Morriss a few days later on Mar. 1. During the meeting, Jones said he and Morriss discussed disciplinary actions for the football players involved. Morriss said he would not make any apologies for the team, and they would suffer the consequences as a team, since the team committed the action.
Bone said he met with Athletic Director Carlton Cooper about the thefts. Cooper said he did not think the players involved could have planned the theft.
“I don’t think they are smart enough to do this on their own,” Cooper said.
Bone led the investigation, which inevitably implicated the majority of the football team. Bone said since the papers were stolen in such a short period of time it seems likely several people perpetrated the act.
“I would say almost all of the football team would have to be involved to do this,” he said.
On Feb. 26, Bone said he was asked by Assistant Chief of the University Police Department Bryan Vaughn to come to his office. When he arrived, Bone said he saw Morriss in Vaughn’s office. Bone asked Morriss if he had seen the most recent issue of the paper. Morris replied with negative comments regarding The East Texan.
“I don’t read that crap,” he said.
Bone said he then showed Morriss the top headline on the front page of the edition, which read, “Football players arrested in drug bust.” To this Morriss responded he did not pay any attention to that crap. Morriss then asked for clarification on how taking a free paper was considered theft.
Attorney Advocate for the Student Press Law Center Adam Goldstein said the actions taken by members of the football team are illegal. He said he did not think it would be a legal violation if they had a legitimate purpose for taking more than one.
“I think the problem comes when they try to take so many that it interferes with the basic purpose for why a newspaper exists,” he said. “Publications can limit it to one. Certainly one is a rational number.”
Bone said he told Morriss inside the paper there is a statement explaining that the first issue is free, but every issue after that costs 25 cents. Morriss said he was not in agreement with the policy stated in The East Texan.
“I guess I will be the first one out of the door in handcuffs then,” Morriss said.
During the meeting, Jones said Morriss explained the comment about him being taken out in handcuffs was reported out of context. Morriss said he made the comment referring to a story The East Texan printed about him when arrived at Texas A&M University-Commerce. He said he took several copies of the paper and mailed them to friends and family, which is what he meant in the quote.
Bone said he was able to obtain video of football players stealing copies of the newspaper. The video shows football players Stephen DeGrate and Dakota Burch taking multiple copies of the newspaper from the UPD office. Bone said he continued his investigation, which led him to witness reports saying football player London Hamilton was seen pulling papers from the Sam Rayburn Student Center.
None of the issues distributed outside of the university were stolen.
The top story on the front page of the Feb. 25 issue was about two football players who were arrested in a drug bust, which may have contributed to the motive for the thefts.
Those who want a copy of the Feb. 25 edition can pick one up at the Commerce Police Department, Cowhill Express Coffee Company and Drunken Mule Saloon while supplies last.
51 comments Log in to Comment
Fire him and move on.To the paper stealing football players,
Yes, I would like fries with that.Sincerely,
-Kevin M
Did you not read the paper about the East Texan Staff? They published that story the exact same way that they published the story about the football players, same page (FRONT), same place (TOP STORY). All the information that was needed was given. Had you read the story, you would know that there was only one person involved that was a part of the East Texas Staff, and he didn't actually steal any of the computers. And he was punished justly for what he did. The reason that such a big deal wasn't made is because they didn't try to hide the story and do team building exercises. Had Mr. Morriss not encouraged his team members to steal instead of practice, there would not have been an ordeal such as this. The football players would already be old news. Should The East Texan and the university treat the football players like the gods they're not and not run a story about them? It's news! If you don't want people hearing about it, then damnit, don't do it.
Now let me tell you why this is a big deal, sir. The genesis of this story is the fact that a recruit (i.e. a High School senior) was provided alcohol and drugs by the players "hosting" him on his visit, enough alcohol and drugs that the young man required hospitalization. This incident led to an investigation by the Commerce police department that garnered enough information in 3 days to serve a warrant to search on suspiucion of drug dealing. Marajuana and pills were found during the search that resulted in the arrest of 2 football players. That, Lion Alum, is NEWS, whether you like it or not. And is news that was fairly and accurately reported by the Lion staff. The teams response, clearly with the blessing of their coach, who has the responsibility to lead them and teach them the way to handle adversity as MEN, was to steal over $1,000 worth of newspapers. Newspapers paid for, like the scholarships, equipment, and facilities used by the football team, by fees paid by students who DONT have a full ride to attend this University. Newspapers prepared by a group of students who do their level best, as a group, to produce a product that is in the best tradition of ethical journalism. It sort of seems similar to what a football team does, doesn't it? If the Coach doesn't read the "crap" produced by the team in journalism, perhaps we students shouldn't go watch the crap produced by the football team on Saturdays. Do you get my drift yet?
I will leave you with this thought for the football team, since your Coach hasn't learned it yet: It's hard to be a man. You get knocked on your ass sometimes. Usually, its because you made a mistake, and the world is unforgiving. Sometimes you just get hit by a bus and there's nothing you can do, but usually, in the clarity of reflection, you will realize that you should have looked both ways before you stepped into the street. And when that clarity hits you, being a MAN means standing up, taking your lumps, apologizing for your error, and moving forward with a tough lesson learned. It does NOT mean that you blame the messenger or try to hide your mistake by destroying the efforts and work of others. My advice, such as it is, is to own it and to learn, because that is why we are all here, all members of this same pride, to learn. I wont think any worse of you for your mistakes, if you wont think worse of me for mine.
Good luck to all involved in this mess, and God bless.
I too received a letter for money too....guess what...not a dime, nickel, or penny will be going in that direction until the coach and all the football team are properly put through corrective action.Maybe this is why we can't get more quality student athletes...they don't like to steal or do other "things" to bond...just a thought...
You must be logged in to comment on an article. Not already a member? Register now