Fox Sports and Amazon host Charissa Thompson took to social media to clarify her comments on a podcast earlier this week that she “would make up” sideline reports during NFL games. Thompson, who hosts Fox’s “NFL Kickoff” show and Amazon Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” coverage, said in a post on Instagram that she did not fabricate quotes from players or coaches, and that she would report her observations on the sidelines.
Quick Read
- Clarification of Comments: Charissa Thompson, host for Fox Sports and Amazon, clarified her podcast comments, stating she never fabricated quotes from NFL players or coaches but reported her observations from the sidelines.
- Thompson’s Apology: She apologized for her choice of words in the podcast, emphasizing her commitment to ethical reporting and never lying in her sports broadcasting career.
- Context of Original Comments: Thompson explained that in situations where coaches provided no new information, she would use her first-half observations to create her reports, without falsely attributing statements to anyone.
- Reaction from NFL Coaches: Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel joked about the situation, indicating he had never heard a reporter fabricate his quotes, while Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell emphasized the importance of honest and articulate communication with reporters.
- Thompson’s Career Background: Thompson has a background in NFL and college football sideline reporting for Fox Sports and Big Ten Network and has since focused on in-studio hosting for various networks.
- Podcast Remarks: On the “Pardon My Take” podcast, Thompson said she sometimes made up reports when coaches were unavailable or uninformative at halftime, leading to the controversy.
- Comments on Paraphrasing: In a 2022 podcast, Thompson and Erin Andrews discussed times when they paraphrased coaches’ halftime comments.
- Respect for Sideline Reporters: In her social media post, Thompson expressed deep respect for the work of sideline reporters and her appreciation for working with them.
- Industry Reaction: Thompson’s initial comments were met with widespread condemnation, including from ESPN “Monday Night Football” reporter Lisa Salters, who emphasized the importance of trust and credibility in journalism.
- Salters’ Strong Response: Salters expressed shock, disappointment, and disgust at Thompson’s original comments, stressing that violating journalistic trust and credibility disrespects players, coaches, and fans.
The Associated Press has the story:
NFL host Charissa Thompson says she didn’t fabricate quotes by players or coaches
Newslooks- (AP)
Fox Sports and Amazon host Charissa Thompson took to social media to clarify her comments on a podcast earlier this week that she “would make up” sideline reports during NFL games.
Thompson, who hosts Fox’s “NFL Kickoff” show and Amazon Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” coverage, said in a post on Instagram that she did not fabricate quotes from players or coaches, and that she would report her observations on the sidelines.
“Working in the media I understand how important words are and I chose wrong words to describe the situation. I’m sorry. I have never lied about anything or been unethical during my time as a sports broadcaster,” Thompson wrote.
“In the absence of a coach providing any information that could further my report I would use information that I learned and saw during the first half to create my report. For example if a team was 0 for 7 on third down, that would clearly be an area they need to improve on in the second half. In these instances I never attributed anything said to a player or coach.”
Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel said Friday that he had not heard a reporter fabricate any quotes by him.
“I’m sure it’d be boring if they fabricated what I had to say. Don’t all laugh at one time, guys,” he said.
Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, who worked as a sideline reporter for San Diego State football games in his first post-NFL job in 2012 once he was done playing, said he has always tried to be accommodating to reporters in that role.
“I don’t know much about what’s transpired. I just know that every interaction I’ve ever had has been professional and really the questions have been thought-provoking and really something that hopefully provided some bonus for the TV broadcast during the game,” O’Connell said. “I can’t always give all the information, but I think it’s important to be honest and articulate and make sure that you’re putting some thought into the things that you say so hopefully that message gets delivered to our fan base.”
Thompson did NFL and college football sideline reporting for Fox Sports and the Big Ten Network in 2008 and ’09. Since then she has mainly handled in-studio hosting duties for ESPN, FS1, Fox and Amazon.
Thompson said on an episode of the “Pardon My Take” podcast released Wednesday that “I would make up the report sometimes because, A, the coach wouldn’t come out at halftime or it was too late and I was like, I didn’t want to screw up the report, so I was like, ‘I’m just gonna make this up.’”
On a 2022 podcast, Thompson and Fox’s Erin Andrews both said there were times when they paraphrased what coaches told them at halftime.
“I have nothing but respect for sideline reporters and for the tireless work they put in behind the scenes and on the field,” Thompson said in her social media post. “I am only appreciative and humbled to work alongside some of the best in the business and call them some of my best friends.”
Thompson’s comments drew widespread condemnation, including by other sideline reporters. ESPN “Monday Night Football” reporter Lisa Salters posted on social media Thursday night that she was “shocked, disappointed and disgusted.”
Salters added: “Trust and credibility. They mean everything to a journalist. To violate either one — in any way — not only makes a mockery of the profession, but is a disservice to players, coaches and, most importantly, to fans.”
