IN MY OPINION
Column by Dirk Chatelain / World-Herald staff writer
Taylor Martinez fascinated Nebraska football junkies from the moment he broke his first huddle 14 months ago.
Frankly, we had never seen a player with this blend before. His background. His experience. His skill set. His personality. His successes and struggles.
He's been a lightning rod for praise — and scrutiny. Fans have invested untold hours reading about him. Journalists have devoted thousands of words writing about him.
Nobody more than me.
But occasionally, a columnist writes a few things he shouldn't. Occasionally, a columnist wishes that he would've worded a few things differently.
That is true with some of my recent commentary of Martinez.
The opinions appeared as I intended. The themes and details appeared as I intended.
Last week I believed that the Ohio State game was a critical juncture for the quarterback and his head coach. If Martinez had played poorly against the Buckeyes, I believed coach Bo Pelini should have considered a change.
Those issues are fair game for columns. But the tone wasn't as I intended. Some of my words were too personal for a college athlete. Too harsh for a 21-year old.
For example, in last Friday's column, I referenced Martinez "pouting" during a press conference. I suggested that he "stop with the 'Woe is me.'" I wrote that negativity in the fan base threatens to "sap his confidence."
For those comments and others like them, I apologize to Martinez.
I had meant to summarize a wild week in Husker football. I meant to reflect fans' thoughts and comments, not to demean the quarterback.
The column became a lightning rod after Pelini angrily referenced it at Saturday's postgame press conference.
When disputes occur, it rarely is one side's fault entirely. That is true in this case.
Just like players on the field, I make split-second decisions in my work, often on tight deadlines. I seek accountability from coaches and players. Readers should expect it of me, too. In this case, I made mistakes.
As a Nebraska native who spent childhood Saturdays on the North Stadium planks, I recognize the importance of the Husker football institution. The Big Red is in my blood.
So is a bedrock belief in journalism — the idea that information and analysis can lead to a better understanding of a political campaign, a budget fight or a football team.
Going forward, I will continue to ask questions on the issues that matter most to Nebraska football fans. And I will continue to provide fans with information, context and commentary about their favorite fall tradition.
It's October 13. The season is young.
Contact the writer:
402-649-1461, dirk.chatelain@owh.com
twitter.com/dirkchatelain
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