Coach David Beaty plays referee, makes right call
By Stan Unruh
Kansas football coach David Beaty has a lot of work to do. Acting as referee with the media is unfortunately part of the job.
Following the Kansas football Friday, August 11, scrimmage, head coach David Beaty discussed a variety of topics. He also promised to provide a detailed team injury update Monday August 14. As a matter of fact, I watched the media briefing online and did not think much about the injury report. Beaty never provided the injury update and for good reason.
It is no secret the world of social media is wild, crazy and impossible to manage. A reporter on social media did what reporters do. He reported what he saw. A Kansas football player’s injury. That prompted Beaty to discontinue injury reports from the media. Unless a player is going to the sideline for an extended period of time, fans and the upcoming opponent probably don’t need to know.
A football teams needs every advantage possible to succeed. Kansas football certainly needs to utilize everything necessary to win. Providing injury reports that are read by opponents is not helpful to Beaty or the Kansas football program. It didn’t take a reporter on social media to help anyone figure that out.
KU senior RB Denzell Evans watched practice this morning, on crutches.
— Benton Smith (@BentonASmith) August 14, 2017
David Beaty to give health updates for roster later today. #kufball
A few seasons ago, all teams stopped giving injury reports. In order to protect the privacy of the player, sideline television reporters had to fumble for words about an injury on their live update. Schools took action to protect of a player’s privacy.
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With social media and camera phones, very little is protected today. Using social media is now a big part of a reporter’s job description. Is there a balance? Not anymore. I’m glad Beaty took this step. The Jayhawks need all the help they can get.