Jackson State blocks USA TODAY Network reporter from covering Deion Sanders' program at SWAC media day

A Clarion Ledger reporter was barred from covering the Jackson State football team at Southwestern Athletic Conference Media Day on Tuesday, one day after his story was published on a domestic violence charge against the highest-ranked high school recruit in program history.

Rashad Milligan was blocked by two JSU officials from covering coach Deion Sanders’ program in Birmingham, Alabama.

Sanders did not want Milligan interviewing JSU players and coaches, JSU director of internal football operations LaToya Williams told Milligan.

The incident occurred one day after Milligan reported on a July 1 court filing stating that Quaydarius Davis, an incoming four-star wide receiver from Dallas, was expected to plead guilty on a charge of "assault causes bodily injury family violence," a misdemeanor in Texas, stemming from an incident in March.

Davis’ attorney, Henry Campbell, told the Clarion Ledger after publication of the story that the player was not planning to plead guilty. The Clarion Ledger attempted to contact Campbell multiple times before publication of the story. 

The Clarion Ledger is part of the USA TODAY Network.

DRAMA AT SWAC MEDIA DAY:Deion Sanders walks out after being called 'Deion'

“A Clarion Ledger reporter was punished for simply doing his job," Clarion Ledger Executive Editor Marlon A. Walker said. "The decision to interfere with a working journalist not only is disappointing but also intolerable.

"It runs counter to the Clarion Ledger’s unwavering mission to freely and fully inform readers throughout Mississippi. It is imperative to stand strong against any attempts to disrupt that effort.”

Milligan has not been banned from covering future events, a university spokesperson said Tuesday. Asked for comment about the incident, the spokesperson said:

“Two Clarion Ledger reporters were credentialed for SWAC Media Days, those credentials were not taken away and the SWAC also said they were not taken away. I am not privy to any reporter being barred or banned. Rashad Milligan has not been barred from covering Jackson State.

“We have no further comment at this time.”

The comments come after Milligan, who has worked for the Clarion Ledger since November 2019, was told by athletics spokesperson Dennis Driscoll that publication of the Davis story could lead to removal of access.

MORE:SWAC announces preseason all-conference football team, predicted order of finish at media day

After the story published, Milligan was told by JSU athletics director Ashley Robinson the story was inaccurate and said Milligan would be better off covering Alcorn State and Mississippi Valley State at SWAC Media Day.

As Milligan began to report at SWAC Media Day, Williams and Driscoll told him he could not interview JSU players and coaches.

As Milligan waited to interview Shedeur Sanders, a heralded freshman quarterback and the son of Deion Sanders, Driscoll told him, “Sorry, you won’t be able to talk today.”

When Milligan said he intended to listen and record the interviews, Williams told him it would not be permitted because of the Davis story.

Williams stated interviews would not begin with Milligan present, according to Clarion Ledger recruiting writer Langston Newsome and photographer Eric Shelton, who both were present. 

Attempts to reach Driscoll and Robinson were unsuccessful on Tuesday evening. The Clarion Ledger also requested a statement from the conference. 

Davis, who committed to JSU on July 6, is the No. 141-ranked prospect in the country for the 2021 class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

A continuance was issued in his court case Tuesday. A new court date has not been set.

Jackson State, a public university, is subject to open records laws and bound by the First Amendment guaranteeing freedom of the press.

While it’s common for college athletics programs to restrict some access – such as health records or even the ability to watch an entire practice – it is uncommon to bar a reporter at credentialed media events. 

JSU outlines its guidelines for maintaining a credential on its website.

Chris Thomas is the South Region sports director of the USA Today Network. Contact him at cdthomas@gannett.com  or follow him on Twitter @bychristhomas.