As far as tense athlete-vs.-media interactions go, we’ve seen far more incendiary ones than Cam Ward vs. Jared Stillman.
Stillman, a radio host and podcaster, asked a question about Ward’s preseason performance that the Tennessee Titans quarterback apparently didn’t appreciate. Such exchanges are common, but we pay close attention only when there’s video.
You’d think that would be the end of it. Both sides would move on because what happens during the exhibition football season often doesn’t matter. But oh no. This story, as they say in journalism, has legs. On Tuesday afternoon, Stillman confirmed a report by Titans beat reporter Paul Kuharsky that the Titans have pulled Stillman’s media credential.
According to Stillman, the Titans banned him from practice and press conferences because he is a YouTuber and not a beat writer.
The @Titans called today, and said that I was no longer welcome to cover the team. They had their reasons and I disagree with it. pic.twitter.com/VP7cUAwNJg
— Jared Stillman (@JaredStillman) September 1, 2026
As Kuharsky noted, the Titans are well within their rights to do so. Access is not guaranteed to anyone. Most physical media credentials include language stating that a league or team may revoke any credentials issued for any reason, at its sole discretion.
But just because you can do something doesn’t necessarily mean you should.
Stillman may not be the most sympathetic figure. However, he was a YouTuber before his exchange with Ward. If that had been an issue before, he would not have been at the press conference. The only change is that Stillman asked Ward a question the quarterback and the Titans didn’t like. From the outside, it looks like Tennessee is selectively enforcing a vague policy because it views Stillman as an irritant.
I know some Titans fans hate Jared and will celebrate this, but this is so embarrassing. His question last week was, “How would you evaluate your performance?” Has never been out of bounds in pressers. Following more than big enough to warrant access. Bush league franchise. https://t.co/iShn90PHZf
— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) September 1, 2026
Stillman is also an easy target here. He’s independent, without the backing of a large media company. While TCU has banned the Fort Worth Star-Telegram from covering Horned Frogs athletics, the newspaper still has the financial clout and workforce to continue doing its job. Stillman might not have the same resources, so denying him access will likely be more punitive.
This move is not unlike what happened to Indiana Fever reporter Scott Agness in June. Agness, an independent reporter who covers the Fever and Indiana Pacers through his “Fieldhouse Files” Substack, also had his credentials revoked. The Fever, apparently, disagreed with Agness’s coverage of Caitlin Clark’s absence from the May 20 home game against the Portland Fire.
Stillman and Agness do their jobs differently, but both deserve media access. They talk and write about the local sports teams that people care about. In the ever-evolving world of media, a YouTuber can make as legitimate an argument for attending a press conference as a traditional media (television, radio, or print) journalist.
But this isn’t really about Stillman being a YouTuber. This is about intimidation, and possibly stifling the next Jared Stillman.
It’s a mistake by the #Titans to revoke @JaredStillman’s credential. pic.twitter.com/ZwxBz6RAiA
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) September 1, 2026
The Titans don’t want a perceived provocateur like Stillman around. And perhaps some people, or even Titans fans, feel the same. You don’t have to like Stillman to defend him here. Credit Kuharsky, also an independent media member, for coming to Stillman’s defense. Stillman did nothing at that press conference that was out of bounds. Starting quarterbacks face tough questions. Deal with it.
If this can happen to Stillman, it can happen to others, perhaps even traditional media folks. On Tuesday, Stillman said on his show that the Titans told him they revoked his access not because of his exchange with Ward, but because of the ‘totality of my coverage.’
Stillman handled this better than most. In the end, it’s the Titans who look extremely bad. They don’t have to like Stillman. They don’t have to go out of their way to accommodate him. However, whenever a team or league denies access to a legitimate member of the media, it makes them look incredibly small and petty.
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