Leach: Cops, media targeting players

PULLMAN – Mike Leach held a folded piece of paper covered with red ink as he read a statement in which he accused the media and local police of unfairly targeting Washington State football players during the aftermath of three recent incidents that led to assault investigations.

Leach’s statement comes on the heels of Monday’s revelation that starting rush linebacker Logan Tago was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault and second-degree robbery, both felonies. Two fights during the summer led to the arrests of football players, though none has yet been charged by prosecutors.

“We’re going to let the legal system take its course,” Leach said. “But the system has to be checked if – with the number of people involved in these incidents – the only ones accused are football players. If that’s the case, then something is seriously wrong, which goes far deeper than whatever has even been alleged.”

During the lengthy statement, Leach addressed each incident in turn. With regards to the fight outside a Domino’s involving Shalom Luani, who was suspended for WSU’s season-opener, and a large fight earlier in the summer allegedly involving multiple unnamed football players and students, Leach questioned why only football players were under police and media scrutiny/Jacob Thorpe, SR. More here (subscription).

Question: Do you think the media and police are targeting WSU Cougar football players involved in petty criminal acts?