Fox Sports activities and Amazon host Charissa Thompson took to social media on Friday to make clear her feedback on a podcast earlier this week that she “would make up” sideline studies throughout NFL video games.
Thompson, who hosts Fox’s “NFL Kickoff” present and Amazon Prime Video’s “Thursday Night time Soccer” protection, stated in a put up on Instagram that she didn’t fabricate quotes from gamers or coaches, and that she would report her observations on the sidelines.
“Working within the media I perceive how essential phrases are and I selected mistaken phrases to explain the scenario. I am sorry. I’ve by no means lied about something or been unethical throughout my time as a sports activities broadcaster,” Thompson wrote.
“Within the absence of a coach offering any info that might additional my report I’d use info that I realized and noticed through the first half to create my report. For instance if a group was 0 for 7 on third down, that will clearly be an space they should enhance on within the second half. In these situations I by no means attributed something stated to a participant or coach.”
Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel stated Friday that he had not heard a reporter fabricate any quotes by him.
“I am positive it would be boring in the event that they fabricated what I needed to say. Do not all chuckle at one time, guys,” he stated.
Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, who labored as a sideline reporter for San Diego State soccer video games in his first post-NFL job in 2012 as soon as he was carried out enjoying, stated he has at all times tried to be accommodating to reporters in that function.
“I do not know a lot about what’s transpired. I simply know that each interplay I’ve ever had has been skilled and actually the questions have been thought-provoking and actually one thing that hopefully offered some bonus for the TV broadcast through the sport,” O’Connell stated. “I am unable to at all times give all the knowledge, however I believe it is essential to be sincere and articulate and just be sure you’re placing some thought into the issues that you just say so hopefully that message will get delivered to our fan base.”
Thompson did NFL and faculty soccer sideline reporting for Fox Sports activities and the Massive Ten Community in 2008 and ’09. Since then she has primarily dealt with in-studio internet hosting duties for ESPN, FS1, Fox and Amazon.
Thompson’s look on ‘Pardon My Take’
Thompson stated on an episode of the “Pardon My Take” podcast launched Wednesday that “I’d make up the report generally as a result of, A, the coach would not come out at halftime or it was too late and I used to be like, I did not wish to screw up the report, so I used to be like, `I am simply gonna make this up.”‘
On a 2022 podcast, Thompson and Fox’s Erin Andrews each stated there have been instances once they paraphrased what coaches advised them at halftime.
Thompson’s feedback drew widespread condemnation, together with by different sideline reporters. ESPN “Monday Night time Soccer” reporter Lisa Salters posted on social media Thursday night time that she was “shocked, dissatisfied and disgusted.”
Salters added: “Belief and credibility. They imply every little thing to a journalist. To violate both one — in any approach — not solely makes a mockery of the career, however is a disservice to gamers, coaches and, most significantly, to followers.”
