…and makes Richard Perez-Pena’s NYT stories look even weaker.

Witt spoke—on the record—to the Yale Daily News in an article published today.

I’ll quote at some length:

Witt said he first learned his candidacy had been called into question when he received a phone call from Yale Director for National Fellowships Katherine Dailinger on either the evening of Nov. 9 or morning of Nov. 10. In the call, Witt said Dailinger informed him that he would need re-endorsement from Yale to remain eligible for the scholarship.

By that time, however, Witt said he had already chosen to play in The Game rather than pursue the Rhodes. He told Dailinger that, as a result, he would not need University re-endorsement.

“I told her at that time I had already made my decision due to a conversation that I had with the regional secretary by email, who told me on the eighth that I was going to have to choose between the two decisions,” Witt said. “Essentially it was an ultimatum. After getting that confirmation from the regional secretary, I told my parents, told my coaches, told people in the Athletic[s] Department that I was going to play in The Game. And so when Kate Dailinger called me on the night of the ninth or the morning of the 10th to let me know about the second letter, it was essentially a moot point.

So: Yale’s Rhodes liaison notifies Witt that he’ll need a re-endorsement, he tells her he’s already decided to play in The Game, and he lists multiple people whom he’s already informed of his decision.

Over to you, Mr. Perez-Pena.

As Gavan GIdeon and Caroline Tan report in the YDN,

Witt flatly denied claims that he knowingly misled the public.

“I didn’t keep it a secret from any of my friends and the New York Times’ insinuation that I was circulating a media circus is ludicrous,” he said. “I’m not talented enough to do that. I’m not a media expert.

When will the Times admit it was wrong?