Breaking: Netflix Set to Release Jimmy Rogers Upcoming Documentary; Unfairly Targets Washington State Cougars.
Breaking: Netflix Set to Release Jimmy Rogers Upcoming Documentary; Unfairly Targets Washington State Cougars.
In a move stirring significant controversy across the college football community, Netflix is reportedly set to release an upcoming sports documentary that has left Washington State University (WSU) fans and alumni bracing for what they believe to be an unfair portrayal. The documentary, titled “Gridiron Fallout,” dives into the chaotic aftermath of conference realignments that have rocked the college football world. But as early details emerge, many are crying foul over what they see as a biased and unbalanced representation—particularly with regard to the Washington State Cougars.
Netflix’s “Gridiron Fallout” promises an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the collapse of the Pac-12 Conference and the sweeping changes that followed. The streaming giant has marketed the series as an honest, hard-hitting account of the decisions that reshaped the college football landscape. However, insiders familiar with the production say that Washington State—alongside Oregon State, the only other Pac-12 school left out of major conference realignment—is portrayed as a victim of its own inadequacies, rather than the broader systemic failures that contributed to the collapse.
According to early screeners and leaked synopses, the documentary singles out the Cougars’ limited media appeal, remote location, and modest athletic budget as key reasons for their exclusion from lucrative conference deals. What’s drawing the ire of Cougar Nation, however, is the lack of equal scrutiny applied to more prominent programs whose decisions helped unravel the Pac-12.
“It’s a cheap narrative,” said a WSU athletics official who requested anonymity. “They’re painting us as some kind of lovable loser—an afterthought left behind because we didn’t shine brightly enough. That’s not just inaccurate; it’s disrespectful.”
Fans and alumni have taken to social media with hashtags like #RespectTheCougs and #NetflixBoycott, accusing the documentary of reinforcing harmful stereotypes and ignoring the real complexities behind WSU’s current situation. Many argue that the blame lies not with institutions like WSU, but with television networks, conference commissioners, and university presidents who prioritized profit over tradition and student-athlete well-being.
“I’m sick of this narrative that says Washington State didn’t ‘deserve’ to stay in a power conference,” tweeted former WSU quarterback Alex Brink. “We’ve beaten top-tier teams. We’ve produced NFL talent. We’ve shown up, year after year. The system failed us, not the other way around.”
Critics also point to the lack of on-camera representation from WSU officials, coaches, and student-athletes in the documentary. While schools like USC, UCLA, and Oregon appear to be given generous time to explain their motives for jumping to other conferences, Washington State’s perspective seems largely summarized through third-party commentary and archival footage—an editorial decision many say reinforces the perception of the Cougars as passive observers rather than active participants in the drama.
Dr. Samantha Green, a media studies professor at WSU, called the documentary “a missed opportunity” in terms of journalistic integrity.
“Documentary film has immense power to shape public memory and opinion,” Green said. “When you fail to give equal voice to all parties involved—especially those most directly impacted—you’re not documenting. You’re editorializing.”
The situation comes at a time when Washington State is working hard to reinvent itself in the wake of the Pac-12’s disintegration. Along with Oregon State, WSU has spearheaded legal and logistical efforts to maintain the Pac-12’s legacy and assets, while also attempting to build a competitive schedule as an independent or member of a newly realigned conference. The process has been anything but easy, requiring resilience, creativity, and a level of commitment that many believe deserves to be celebrated—not dismissed.
Supporters note that WSU has continued to invest in its programs despite adversity, retaining respected coaches and providing top-notch facilities. The university also maintains a loyal fan base and strong ties to its regional community, proving that market size isn’t the only metric of value in college sports.
Meanwhile, Netflix has remained mostly silent on the backlash. A spokesperson issued a brief statement saying the documentary “reflects a broad range of voices and perspectives” and was “produced with the highest standards of journalistic and creative integrity.” That hasn’t stopped critics from questioning the motives behind the production and urging Netflix to include a disclaimer or even delay the release to address perceived imbalances.
“This isn’t just about a football team,” said Maria Evans, a WSU alumna who started an online petition demanding editorial revisions. “It’s about how media shapes perceptions—and how easily the underdog can be dismissed by people who only care about ratings.”
The release of “Gridiron Fallout” is expected later this summer, just ahead of the 2025 college football season. Whether the public ultimately embraces or rejects the series may depend on how fairly it treats those left behind in one of the sport’s most tumultuous chapters.
For now, Cougar Nation remains wary but vocal—determined not to be defined by someone else’s script.
