It’s always a touchy subject to bring up the worst things about a person who just passed away. Whether it’s a politician, an actor or an athlete, people are going to get heated from one side or another.
The Indiana Daily Student, the student newspaper at the University of Indiana-Bloomington, went with a headline about the late Bob Knight that has a lot of people angry:
“Bob Knight, Indiana basketball coaching legend and controversial figure, dies at 83,” the headline said.
But as you can imagine, some fans didn’t appreciate the less savory aspects of Knight’s legendary coaching career being brought up in the hours after his passing last night.
Controversial? This generation is soft. One of the best coaches in the history of college basketball.
— Chris (@HoosierWilliams) November 1, 2023
“Iconic” is the word they were looking for.
College journalism is total 🗑️
These graduates then fill our local newsroooms.🗑️🗑️ https://t.co/6SJTVnNKUE
— NormieUtah (@NormieUtah) November 2, 2023
Others praised the Indiana Daily Student for having the courage to keep the headline and ignore the “haters.”
School newspaper writes accurate headline. There. Fixed the replies from the losers.
He assaulted/abused players and riots happened on campus when he was fired because of it. It’s the definition of “controversial.”
Calling this out for being “too political” is beyond weak. https://t.co/wdjnB9ZCWY
— John Reecer (@JReecerMedia) November 2, 2023
Well written obituary for a multi-layered individual. IDS did nothing wrong with this headline whatsoever. https://t.co/8J1LZIojMU
— Owen Kaelble (@OwenKaelble) November 2, 2023
Whether you like it or not, controversy is what marred and ultimately ended Bob Knight’s career at Indiana.
The entire world has seen with their own eyes that he put his hand on the throat of the late Neil Reed, while the “if r–e is inevitable” statement that he said to Connie Chung’s face was as unacceptable then as it would be now.
The Indiana Daily Student obituary highlighted the ups and the downs – as any good publication would.
And the reaction begs this question: What’s the least bad thing that someone can to do in life to have it included in their obituary?