BS! The reason they’re referred to a football player is because they nearly got away with the rape simply because they are football players in a town that sanctifies football.
I agree completely with your statements, and sadly it showcases the perverse levels of protection some individuals receive (from coaches, some parents, teachers, etc.) simply because they play a game... however, the question was directed more toward the media’s emphasis on the perps being football players, everything else of importance is secondary to them.