sNOw CLUE

   Whether you deliver news or sports as part of a professional media organization or just for fun, there are a few basic principles.
Writers must adhere to the correct style guidelines of their publications.

   Bloggers…usually don’t.

National and local broadcasters must look professional on air.

   Those on public access television or podcasts…usually don’t.

John Steigerwald

But, no matter one’s level of experience or status one must always, CHECK THEIR FACTS!

   The 5 W’s and H…and no that’s not another animal rights group.

Who, What, When, Where, Why, How?

   This brings me to former Pittsburgh sports anchor and current writer for the Observer Reporter, John Steigerwald.  Today (When), Steigerwald (Who) wrote a column (what) on observer-reporter.com (where) claiming that it was San Francisco Giants fan, “Bryan Snow of Sacramento’s fault he was beaten into a medically induced coma.” (I still have no idea How or Why this was published, considering this never happened.) 

   Bryan Snow of Sacramento wasn’t beaten up following the Giants 2-1 Opening Day loss in Los Angeles. Bryan STOW of SANTA CRUZ was.

   One time is BAD, given that this story has been in the news for almost two weeks and “The Bryan Stow Fund” has been on every press release.  Steigerwald (who I could refer to as Jones given how important he believes last names are to a story) calls STOW, “Snow” five times in the,“article.”

And that’s not what people found most offensive about this, “article.”

   Steigerwald believes it was “Snow’s fault” (STOW) he was beaten up because a 42-year- old man has no right to wear a team’s jersey.  He must behave like an adult and not a kid.  Then, to wear the opposing team’s jersey to a rivalry game was just asking for it.

   I think Steigerwald is trying to say that die hard fans with jerseys and face paint contribute to violence at stadiums, which is true. (I don’t want to put words in his mouth because he can’t seem to put them on paper) But, his assertion that by wearing a Giants jersey, “Snow” STOW should have seen this coming (Ironic given he was sucker punched in the dark from behind) is blasphemous.
   The Dodgers needed security in the parking lot, better lighting, or stopping the sale of beer earlier in the game are all viable solutions.  But, the fan shouldn’t have worn the jersey…Really? This is still America right? Where there’s that whole freedom of speech thing.  How about fans just need to learn to control themselves, have fun and realize the game ends on the field…not in the parking lot.  The two men that attacked Stow remain at large (and by all accounts weren’t even baseball fans), while Stow wears a hospital gown and lays in a Los Angeles hospital in a medically induced coma, after having part of his skull removed to allow for the swelling of his brain.  So, it looks like Steigerwald may get his wish.  Because it doesn’t seem likely this 42-year-old paramedic from SANTA CRUZ and father of two will be slipping on a Giants jersey any time soon.

Bryan Stow with his kids