NFL sideline reporter Charissa Thompson has drawn massive backlash for her comments on a recent episode of Pardon My Take where she admitted to lying about her in-game reports.
Here’s what Thompson, who currently works for Fox Sports and TNF on Prime Video, said on the popular podcast.
“I’ve said this before, I haven’t been fired to saying it, but I’ll say it again,” Thompson said. “I would make up the report sometimes, because A, the coach wouldn’t come out at halftime, or it was too late and I didn’t want to screw up the report. So I was like, ‘I’m just gonna make this up.’
“Because first of all, no coach is gonna get mad if I say, ‘Hey, we need to stop hurting ourselves, we need to be better on third down, we need to stop turning the ball over and do a better job of getting off the field.’ They’re not gonna correct me on that. So I’m like, it’s fine, I’ll just make up the report.”
Multiple sideline reporters and journalists alike from across the sports world have come out the express their displeasure toward Thompson’s unethical behavior.
“This is not normal or ethical,” ESPN’s Molly McGrath tweeted. “Coaches and players trust us with sensitive information, and if they know that you’re dishonest and don’t take your role seriously, you’ve lost all trust and credibility.”
CBS’ Tracy Wolfson added a similar tweet, “This is absolutely not ok, not the norm and upsetting on so many levels. I take my job very seriously, I hold myself accountable for all I say, I build trust with coaches and never make something up. I know my fellow reporters do the same.”
Many more have rushed to social media to share similar opinions on the matter — but that isn’t stopping Thompson from continuing to be allowed to report on the sidelines for NFL games, specifically Thursday Night Football games.
Thompson is going ahead and will be a part of the TNF broadcast between the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens. She will be giving sideline reports — and it might be in her best interest to actually make an effort to talk to Zac Taylor and John Harbaugh.
The opening kickoff between the Bengals and Ravens is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET live on Prime Video. Baltimore is a four-point favorite inside M&T Bank Stadium, according to Vegas Insider. The over/under total is set at 46.5 points.
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