Football player faces charges
Jenna Peterson ® News Editor |
Last updated: 5:54 a.m. Sept. 3, 2020.
A member of Minnesota State University, Mankato’s football team is facing charges in South Dakota for driving under the influence after he was involved in a crash that sent one man to the hospital Aug. 23.
According to the Brookings Register newspaper, Brayden Thomas, a standout defensive end, faces charges of DUI, careless driving and operating a vehicle without headlights.
According to the police reports, Thomas’ vehicle struck a guardrail, which resulted in a second vehicle, a pickup driven by Mark Daniel Olson of Sioux Falls, crashing into Thomas’ vehicle on I-29 near mile marker 132. Both cars sustained damage. Thomas was uninjured while Olson was transported to a Sioux Falls hospital.
Thomas is currently enrolled in classes and is set to graduate in December. Due to his last season being canceled by the pandemic, Thomas and other graduating seniors have a decision to make. They can either graduate at the end of the semester in December as they have planned, or they can continue their education at the University and play in the spring and fall, using up their last year of athletic eligibility.
Minnesota State Associate Director of Communications Paul Allan and football head coach Todd Hoffner are currently gathering more information and have no comment at this time.
Nice of you to have a fellow student’s back by posting this with false information on the front page with a giant photo. You titans of the newspaper industry hit it out of the park with this one. Get a life
Way to promote the university, as well as this students well-being, in a positive light. The false information was a nice touch. I understand reporting anything MSU related is your job, however this isn’t factual and should not be a story you are covering.
You should actually be disgusted with yourselves for jumping at the opportunity to slam one of your own athletes on the front page of your paper for a mistake they made in a different state. I hope they never do another interview for you again. I’m sure your sick TMZ report sure gets your news paper some sweet reviews. This literally just ruined the MSU reporter/ Student athlete relationship great job!
Wow. I was beginning to think that the reason why MSU students never write into the Reporter was because they didn’t know how to write. So is this a lie, or is it a “mistake they made in a different state?” And why should we forgive drunk driving jocks for making a mistake in a different state, as if that makes drunk driving a forgivable offense? You reporters are here to “promote the university,” and not report the fact that there is a problem with some of the people in college sports. Why do I have the feeling we are never going to know what is not factual about the story and what story they should be reporting instead. I would hate to teach an Ethics class in the Philosophy program at MSU. I wonder what they are giving him a degree in. Probably not a Physics Major.
This article did not need to be posted.. The only purpose was to try to slander a student’s image because of a mistake that was made. Not to mention the information is construed heavily for dramatic effect. I hope the mini spike in views and attention is worth it in attempt to ruin a young person’s life. I guess you have to do what you have to do in order to get a couple views…
Not understanding the purpose of letting this be on the FRONT page of MNSU’s “newspaper”. This is tragically embarrassing reporting, filled with false information. What is the point of putting this in the newspaper? Didn’t know “msureporter” even covered information like this, do you do this with all students? Horrible reporting, horrible writing and horrible moral standards.
This is 100% unnecessary and a complete joke that you would attempt to ruin someone’s character. This is in no way shape or form what a school newspaper is intended for. Such a wast of paper space that nobody reads anyway. Completely ruins the relationship of the newspaper with student athletes, unbelievable.
This newspaper really has to be a joke. Reporting this about one of your own students, full of false information, with your goal being to ruin a person’s reputation. Are you going to report every student’s mistakes? Honestly whoever reported this and whoever allowed for it to be reported should be fired.
Defamation of character. No wonder no one read this or takes you this serious. Clowns.
Trying to ruin a students reputation over a false article is such a waste of time. Everyone involved in this newspaper should be ashamed. You clowns need to figure it out and report on relevant information. Way to burn bridges. Just completely unnecessary.
This is a joke. When did The Reporter even start caring about this information? This is so sad and pitiful. What an absolute joke.
My heart goes out to the student body of this great university… sadly your school newspaper staff are hunting you, actively seeking to sensationalize your mistakes. They will run their story, and they don’t give a damn about ethics, you or your future.
Source: SPJ Code of Ethics in Journalism
Ethical journalism strives to ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair and thorough. An ethical journalist acts with integrity.
SEEK TRUTH AND REPORT IT
Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair. Journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.
Ethical Journalists should:
-Take responsibility for the accuracy of their work. Verify information before releasing it.
MINIMIZE HARM
Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect.
Ethical Journalists should:
-Balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or discomfort. Pursuit for the news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness.
-Show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage.
-Realize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than public figures and others who seek power, influence or attention. Weigh the consequences of publishing or broadcasting personal information about citizens.
-Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity, even if others do.
-Balance a suspects tight to a fair trial with the public’s right to know.
-Consider the long-term implications of the extended reach and permanence of publication.
TO THE STAFF OF THE REPORTER: Your selfish decisions have brought you the filthy attention that you were seeking, but YOU HAVE FAILED on all points listed above. You have failed your student, and demonstrated to the public that you have complete disregard for any code of ethics. Disgusting. Where is the Administration?
It saddens me that this is on the front page of what is supposed to be a resource for the student body that SHOULD ONLY include updated information about the campus as a whole and/or positive news. There are many students that have made mistakes while attending this school (including successful athletes) and there has never been a front page article on their mistakes… and we shouldn’t start now. NO ONE on campus (or the state of Minnesota, for that matter) was in danger because of this incident. It makes me sick that this administration is focusing on the mistakes of their own student rather than the many successes that this particular student has acheived.
Yesterday, I posted a reply that questioned the staff of the Reporter on their apparent ethical ignorance. Its very telling that the reply would be censored by the moderator. I’ll say again, where is the MSU Administration? Reckless reporting and unethical behavior must be held accountable.
Delete this nonsense.
It saddens me that this is on the front page of what is supposed to be a resource for the student body that SHOULD ONLY include updated information about the campus as a whole and/or positive news. There are many students that have made mistakes while attending this school (including successful athletes) and there has never been a front page article on their mistakes… and we shouldn’t start now. NO ONE on campus (or the state of Minnesota, for that matter) was in danger because of this incident. It makes me sick that this administration is focusing on the mistakes of their own student rather than the many successes that this particular student has acheived.
What an absolute clown show of a newspaper. Reporting false information to slander a fellow students name all for a couple of clicks is disgusting. Also find it very interesting that you haven’t put any other student’s mistakes on the front page. You guys really knocked it out of the park with this one!
Are all students mistakes going to be written about from now on? Also, get the facts straight.
This is a absolute waste of use for the University’s newspapers. The fact that this was even allowed to be posted with false information, and no pertinent information regarding MSU just shows what these publishers will do to get attention. Take it down.