So it appears a lot of people are upset with the media's coverage of Riley Reiff's run in with the law over the weekend.  Click here if you are unaware of the story.

Many in the area feel this isn't a big deal and shouldn't have warranted the coverage.  That's where I disagree.  Did Riley make a bad decision, sure.  Most 19 year olds make bad decisions.  Heck, a lot of adults make bad decisions.  But here's the point, Riley decided to take his clothes off (how much, we don't know) and then lead police on a massive foot chase.  It took 20 minutes & 8 police officers to catch him. 

If he was busted for drinking in his dorm room, that's one thing, but leading police thru restaurants and thru downtown is another. He's not your everyday college freshman, he's a Division I athlete at a Big Ten school (not to mention he's most likely on a full scholarship), thus warranting the coverage.  Riley or other big time athletes aren't being targeted like some think, they are just under the microscope a little closer as they are a D-1 athlete (The same coverage would have been given if it had happened to a USF or Augie student as well). 

Was it a poor decision, sure.  We've all made mistakes and I'm sure Riley wishes he could take his actions back.  But the local media isn't covering this because nothing else is going on.  They covered this because of the circumstances surrounding the event.  20 minute chase, 8 officers to catch him...that's why it was covered. 

Everyone needs to remember that Riley received multiple positive stories by signing with Iowa (not to mention the multiple stories I did on his amazing run to a state wrestling title his junior year when he was pinning people in nano-seconds). You can't always have the good people.  Did he make a bad decision, absolutely, but that doesn't mean it's a slow day for the local media.