Wright Thompson says "Zip it!"

Maybe I've missed something. Or maybe my political correctness monitor isn't set on high today. But let's say there is a love triangle: coach + ass't coach + former player. Why does that add up to an instant resignation? What does it matter that, if as rumored, the coach is involved with a "former" player? It's not like she's with one of her current players, a "kid" entrusted to her care. Sounds like a private matter to me -- unless the ass't coach came to the powers that be with a list of her boss's previous liasions with players then on her team.

 

Former player = player who was at LSU at the time of the alleged improper conduct (and on the team, coached by Chatman) but is no longer on the team.

 

I've never met Wright, but plenty of people I respect say he's a super-nice guy. Plus, again, he's extremely talented.

For everyone offended by my amusement about the driveway bit, we'll just have to agree to disagree. The first time he drove to someone's house, didn't get an interview, and drove away (Grbac), it was odd, but (arguably) worked. The second time (McGwire) it seemed a little self-referential, like Mick Jagger actually painting his windows black.

Now he's written a third story that includes a scene of him, in his car, looking at someone's front door? Seems a little much. Call me crazy.

Going to Pokey Chatman's house is obviously great reporting...tough break she wouldn't talk. But she didn't talk, so why the hell would you include your trip?

Answer: To make the story about you, about your experience in writing the story. It's all very meta, very clever, very precious. But it's not very interesting.

And his faux solemnity about all the "rumors" floating around, and how terribly sad it is that we're forced to speculate in lieu of ever knowing the real story, is just a little too hangdog for me. Pokey Chatman slept with a player, got exposed, and left under a cloud. It's not a tragedy, and it doesn't have any wider implications for society.

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, y'know?

In stories like this, Wright comes off as a guy who knows he's talented enough to make almost anything readable. So, as DD said, he tries to cutesy up every story with deep thoughts, showing off how he can turn a phrase and set a scene. It's like watching one of those And1 guys dribbling: What he does takes talent, but it's not going to get the ball in the basket, which -- when you get right down to it -- is the purpose of the game.

Really, though me posting on a journalism board nitpicking Wright Thompson is like Chris Childs posting on an NBA board nitpicking Oscar Robertson. So consider my apologies issued.

 

The "finest hour" quote was made by Gene Kranz (Ed Harris in the movie). Once one of the most famous people in American science. Now relegated to "a NASA official." The generation gap grows wider.

Nice story, just nitpicking a point that even the best writers can do better. Surprised an editor didn't catch this.

 

The editor is probably half your age and never heard of Gene Kranz, micro.

 

But, fuck.... Apollo 13 came out a decade ago, that quote included.

 

In all seriousness, I am old enough to remember Gene Kranz, and I am not sure I would have added a name to a story that really did not need it to advance the story, even if it was a column.

 

The guy would put a twist ending on a feature about a flea market.

 

Wright Thompson's underarm sweat cures cancer.

If he actually sweat, of course.

 

Wow, we're dickering over a Gene Kranz non-mention. I liked the piece, a nice national story on the case. Told me everything that is allowed by law and did a great job of dropping hints about the rest. The ending scene is a little funny in relation to the Grbac story, but on its own, it's a nice close. Is "drivewaying" the new "trunking?"

 

If that's what you got out of this column, and you're a supposed professional, then it's no wonder readers don't get what we do. Between this and some of the garbage posted on an adjacent thread, I'm starting to wonder if it's worth coming here any more.

 

I thought it was a decent news feature... Nothing less, nothing more...

I've read the story three times and I'm still unsure of why Wingman has his panties in a wad...