{"id":16748,"date":"2026-02-06T08:17:21","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T08:17:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/niemanstoryboard.org\/?p=16748"},"modified":"2026-02-06T08:17:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T08:17:22","slug":"if-you-have-three-quarterbacks-you-have-no-quarterbacks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/niemanstoryboard.org\/2026\/02\/06\/if-you-have-three-quarterbacks-you-have-no-quarterbacks\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018If you have three quarterbacks, you have no quarterbacks\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-paragraph mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/niemanstoryboard.org\/about\/subscribe-to-nieman-storyboard\/\"><em>Sign up for the Nieman Storyboard newsletter,<\/em><\/a><em>&nbsp;delivered every Friday in your inbox.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-classic mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-paragraph mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">***<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-classic mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-paragraph mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">Dear Storyboard community:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-classic mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-paragraph mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n<p>The news throughout the early weeks of 2026 reminded us that the concept of \u201cboth sides\u201d in journalism is a deeply flawed, and even dangerous, way to think about reporting a story \u2014 especially when one side is actively trafficking in disinformation. Journalists have a responsibility to be fair and accurate, but we are under no obligation to quote people who are proven to be lying.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-classic mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-paragraph mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n<p>As award-winning journalist and documentarian <a href=\"https:\/\/niemanstoryboard.org\/2026\/02\/05\/soledad-obrien-character-driven-storytelling-documentaries\/\">Soledad O&#8217;Brien points out in this week&#8217;s Nieman Storyboard podcast<\/a>, narrative nonfiction is even less obligated to the idea of \u201cboth sides,\u201d because it often tells the story through the eyes of a single character. The best storytelling has a clear point of view, O&#8217;Brien told Storyboard contributor <a href=\"https:\/\/niemanstoryboard.org\/authors\/christina-m-tapper\/\">Christina M. Tapper<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-classic mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-paragraph mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n<p>\u201cFran Tarkenton, the [NFL] quarterback, said to me once, \u2018Soledad, if you have three quarterbacks, you have no quarterbacks.\u2019 And I remember thinking like, \u2018I know nothing about sports metaphors! That means absolutely nothing to me, Fran. Thank you.\u2019 But what he was trying to say was, if you don&#8217;t commit to the story you&#8217;re going to tell, then you have nothing. You have a big blob of trying to pop lots of different things in and you end up with nothing at all.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-classic mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-paragraph mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n<p>O&#8217;Brien commits to this singular point of view as executive producer for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oscars.org\/oscars\/ceremonies\/2026\">Oscar-nominated<\/a> HBO Max documentary short, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hbomax.com\/movies\/devil-is-busy\/24d3b05e-15a0-4f17-9545-5f07dd381d7d\">\u201cThe Devil Is Busy,\u201d<\/a> directed by Geeta Gandbhir and Christalyn Hampton, which follows a day in the life of Tracii, who runs security for an Atlanta abortion clinic. Protesters are heard outside the clinic, but the story unfolds from Tracii&#8217;s perspective. \u201cShe&#8217;s a wonderful narrator,\u201d O&#8217;Brien said. \u201cShe really drives the story forward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-classic mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-paragraph mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n<p>O&#8217;Brien&#8217;s podcast conversation was recorded in December, before the dramatic escalation of operations by federal agents began in Minnesota, but one can&#8217;t help but be reminded of Alex Pretti, Renee Good, and the many citizens and journalists on the streets as O&#8217;Brien shared a lesson she learned from her mother about the importance of being a witness: \u201cI think there&#8217;s something about being unmovable. Everybody should think about it. I&#8217;m not just going to move along when I see something unfolding,\u201d she said. \u201cNot just for me and my work, but I think everybody kind of has that opportunity. Today, especially, in an environment where there&#8217;s just a lot of stuff unfolding every day.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-classic mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-heading   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/niemanstoryboard.org\/2026\/02\/05\/soledad-obrien-character-driven-storytelling-documentaries\/\">Soledad O\u2019Brien on character-driven storytelling in documentaries, and the power of being a witness<\/a><\/h2>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-classic mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-image mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/niemanstoryboard.org\/2026\/02\/05\/soledad-obrien-character-driven-storytelling-documentaries\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"803\" src=\"https:\/\/niemanstoryboard.org\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/soledad-obrien-headshot-1024x803.jpg\" alt=\"Soledad O'Brien\" class=\"wp-image-16730\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.2752330573807433;width:642px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/niemanstoryboard.org\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/soledad-obrien-headshot-1024x803.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/niemanstoryboard.org\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/soledad-obrien-headshot-300x235.jpg 300w, https:\/\/niemanstoryboard.org\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/soledad-obrien-headshot-768x602.jpg 768w, https:\/\/niemanstoryboard.org\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/soledad-obrien-headshot.jpg 1290w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soledad O&#8217;Brien<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-classic mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-paragraph mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n<p>\u201cYou just tell people what you want to do and you&#8217;re honest about it. \u2026 There&#8217;s nothing worse than feeling like someone&#8217;s misleading you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-classic mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-paragraph mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>[ <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/niemanstoryboard.org\/2026\/02\/05\/soledad-obrien-character-driven-storytelling-documentaries\/\"><strong>Read the story<\/strong><\/a><strong> ]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-classic mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-html mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n<div id=\"buzzsprout-player-18626704\"><\/div><script src=\"https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/2449998\/episodes\/18626704-soledad-o-brien-on-character-driven-storytelling-in-documentaries-and-the-power-of-being-a-witness.js?container_id=buzzsprout-player-18626704&#038;player=small\" type=\"text\/javascript\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-classic mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-paragraph mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>[ Follow us in <a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/nieman-storyboard\/id1804505440\">Apple Podcasts<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/4cN4SOwf5Am05PoA9wckcA\">Spotify<\/a>, or your <a href=\"https:\/\/niemanstoryboard.buzzsprout.com\/2449998\/episodes\">favorite podcast app<\/a>. ]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-classic mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-heading   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Links of note<\/h2>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-classic mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-list mb-4 list max-w-screen-full mx-auto pl-5 \">\n            \n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Writers, editors, and fans of nonfiction: registration is open for <a href=\"https:\/\/combeyond.bu.edu\/offering\/the-power-of-narrative-conference\/\">The Power of Narrative conference at Boston University<\/a>, March 27-28. Speakers will include Ken Burns, The New Yorker writers Sarah Stillman, Patrick Radden Keefe, and Louisa Thomas, and photojournalist (and 2025 Nieman Fellow) Marcus Yam.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/countercraft.substack.com\/p\/why-plot-isnt-a-four-letter-word\">\u201cWhy plot isn&#8217;t a four-letter word.\u201d<\/a> At his newsletter Counter Craft, novelist-editor Lincoln Michel kicks off a series on plot structure in storytelling: \u201cWhen I read student work that feels inert, it\u2019s often because the story lacks escalation. The characters meander about with not much going on and then a \u2018sudden outburst of plot\u2019 occurs at the very end to wrap the story up. Or if a plot is present, that plot is not structured so that it escalates. The beats feel out of order where the opening is more dramatic than the ending or the stakes seem to lower as the tale goes on. \u2026 In my experience at least, many narrative problems can be solved without major rewriting by simply reordering.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/newsletter.projectc.biz\/p\/independent-journalists-covering-minnesota-right-now?utm_source=newsletter.projectc.biz&amp;utm_medium=newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=independent-journalists-covering-minnesota-right-now&amp;_bhlid=3b46771ea7b809276ae357b78ac9c00fde509dc4\">Independent journalists covering Minnesota right now<\/a>: Over at Project C, Liz Kelly Nelson&#8217;s newsletter examining the work of journalists in the creator economy, Nelson has teamed up with Justin Bank and 2025 Nieman Fellow Ryan Kellett to share a list of independent creator-journalists and organizations on the ground in Minneapolis. They&#8217;re building a database, <a href=\"https:\/\/journalismatlas.com\/\">The Independent Journalism Atlas<\/a>, designed to help people discover and support independent journalists, with the goal of a \u201cmore open and resilient media future.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-classic mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-paragraph mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n<p>Keep doing your best, and keep sharing your stories,<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-classic mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-paragraph mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n<p>Mark Armstrong<br><a href=\"https:\/\/nieman.harvard.edu\/mark-armstrong-named-editor-of-nieman-storyboard\/\">Editor<\/a><br>Nieman Storyboard<br><a href=\"https:\/\/niemanstoryboard.buzzsprout.com\/\">Follow the Nieman Storyboard Podcast<\/a>&nbsp;<br>On Bluesky: <a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/did:plc:nejd5yomd3xtdcdg267bqim5\">@niemanstoryboard.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"  core-block\">\n        <div class=\"block block--core block--core-classic mb-5   max-w-screen-full mx-auto\">\n            \n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-subscribe full-width\">\n            <h2 class=\"subscribe-title\">Subscribe to Storyboard<\/h2>\n        \n            <div class=\"subscribe-content\">\n            <p>Get insights into the craft of journalism and storytelling in your inbox, delivered on Fridays.<!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":\"39px\"} --><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    \n                <div class=\"subscribe-embed\">\n                            <div class=\"mt-5\">\n                 <div translate=\"no\" class='mailmunch-forms-widget-1154494'><\/div>\n\n                <\/div>\n               \n                    <\/div>\n    \n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Soledad O\u2019Brien on documentary storytelling. Plus: The Power of Narrative conference and the principles of plotting<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":16752,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[427,425],"topics":[],"authors":[410],"issue":[],"class_list":["post-16748","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-from-the-editor","tag-documentary","tag-podcasts","authors-mark-armstrong"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>\u2018If you have three quarterbacks, you have no quarterbacks\u2019 - Nieman Storyboard<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Soledad O\u2019Brien on documentary storytelling. 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