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It's pathetic that a whole athletic department would resort to blocking a website for writing about what one of its head coaches said publicly on social media.
JSU hired a high-profile coach who is very outspoken and active on all social media platforms with millions of followers. Because of that, there will be a heightened interest and scrutiny of some of the things he says and does.
We've covered the hire of Sanders as fairly and respectfully as anyone in this space. We've written about all the recruiting successes of the football program this offseason. We've made sure to provide content regarding Sanders' national TV and radio appearances.
We've reached out to national pundits to provide an analysis of Jackson State's current recruiting class following National Signing Day because of the historic significance.
Yesterday's piece by @KD_Marshall was one that pointed out how it was probably not appropriate for Sanders to use his platform to chase a bowl bid when JSU/SWAC already have a bowl tie with the @CelebrationBowl.
After the piece ran, a JSU athletic department official contacted us to express disenchantment with what was written and wondered whether Kendrick held any animosity toward the university.
Kendrick, who has written for us for the last nine years, is as fair of a reporter that we've had. His work is respected in this community. His work, not just for us, but elsewhere, is respected nationally. If anyone holds a grudge, it certainly isn't him. His rep is rock solid.
Yes, Kendrick is a JSU alum, which gives him a unique and valuable perspective. And he hasn't let his ties to the university cloud his objectivity.
Our job is not to write with an agenda. Our job is not to make any school or any person associated with HBCU sports look good or bad. We're not trying to be friends or enemies. Our job is to provide space for black college sports content in spaces that have historically lacked it
At the end of the day, it doesn't matter that we've been blocked. We will go about our jobs and continue to do what we've done for the last two decades. We will still write about JSU (as well as other schools) like we've always done.
