Marcus Freeman rips media for dragging family ‘through the mud’

Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman said his family got “dragged through the mud” after a Jan. 3 incident at his son’s wrestling match was made public and “sensationalized” in the media.

During a press conference Wednesday, Freeman began by thanking the university for backing him after he was accused of battery by New Prairie assistant coach Chris Fleeger while at Mishawaka (Ind.) High School for a wrestling tournament.

“The reality is I behaved in a respectful and professional manner, while protecting my family, and that should have been the only headline,” said Freeman, who was not charged following an investigation by the Mishawaka police department.

“Journalistic integrity should matter [and] withholding ethical principles in news reporting with accuracy and fairness should matter.

“I know I’m a public figure and I understand the scrutiny that comes with that. That scrutiny should not extend to my children or any other child of a public figure.”

According to the St. Joseph County prosecutors report — cited by the South Bend Tribune, which was the first to report the incident — a witness informed detectives that Fleeger had voiced his anger at the Freeman family, and was encouraging other wrestlers to harm Freeman’s son, Vinny, who is a Penn High School senior.

Fleeger filed a police report accusing Freeman of battery after an alleged altercation, which was captured on video.

The St. Joseph County prosecutors office announced Monday that Freeman will not be charged following a review of video footage and Mishawaka PD’s investigation.

The story made national news.

“I want to commend the journalist who handled their reporting with integrity… I appreciate your patience in not rushing to report without having all of the facts and information,” Freeman continued.

“It is also important for me to express my extreme disappointment with one local media outlet and a reporter who I believe chose to do the opposite,” Freeman said, adding that as a result, the incident became a sensationalized story.

“Because they choose not to do so, me and my family and I have been dragged through the mud with clickbait headlines.”

Freeman said he was grateful to Notre Dame for their “trust and defense of me even before the video evidence was released.”

Notre Dame publicly backed Freeman in the immediate aftermath of allegations, calling the accusations “unfounded” in a statement.

“Vinny Freeman, head coach Marcus Freeman’s son, was verbally accosted during and after his wrestling match by a local wrestling coach,” Notre Dame’s statement read. “Marcus and [his wife] Joanna Freeman intervened and removed Vinny from the situation.

“At no point did Coach Freeman physically engage with anyone. We believe that the police report, which includes video evidence, fully exonerates Coach Freeman and makes clear these accusations are unfounded.”