Fox Sports and NFL on Prime host Charissa Thompson has come under fire by several sideline reporters and individuals in the sports journalism industry for the comments she made on the "Pardon My Take" podcast regarding making up coaches' comments when she was a sideline reporter.
“I’ve said this before,” Thompson said. “I haven’t been fired for saying it, but I’ll say it again. 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," Thompson continued.
MORE: Ravens trounces Bengals on TNF; Cincinnati loses Joe Burrow
In regard to the mention that she had said this publicly before, she was drawing a reference to a conversation that took place between herself and Erin Andrews on their podcast, "Calm Down with Erin and Charissa."
The way she went about phrasing this, though, caused several sideline reporters at both the national and local levels to feel disrespected as it cast an unfair shadow on all who roam the sidelines professionally.
NEW: The person I wanted to talk to most about Charissa Thompson's comments was @LauraOkmin. We had long conversation about it tonight.
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) November 17, 2023
Here is the piece: https://t.co/B7aICx6qQF
What is the point of sideline reporting? My 6-min diatribe no one asked for.
— Maddy Hudak (@MaddyHudak_94) November 16, 2023
I don’t expect people to listen in full but if you’re wondering why those who bust their ass as sideline reporters are so bothered by this story. Shout out to Tulane for doing nothing but lift me up. pic.twitter.com/8VFsxAVVpc
Shocked. Disappointed. Disgusted. What we heard today called all sideline reporters into question. My job is an honor, a privilege and a craft at which I have worked so hard…
— Lisa Salters (@saltersl) November 17, 2023
(1/2)
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.
— Lisa Salters (@saltersl) November 17, 2023
(2/2)
Young reporters: This is not normal or ethical. 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. https://t.co/yMnM1T995P
— Molly McGrath (@MollyAMcGrath) November 16, 2023
Those of us in local TV working our butts off just praying someone thinks you’re special enough to get to the big time and then you see this… https://t.co/fopfw98fKT
— Brenna Greene (@BrennaGreene_) November 16, 2023
Honestly, this makes me sad. Charissa is a nice person, but this is professional fraud. If a coach won’t talk to you at halftime, you say that. And if there is no report, then you just don’t file a report at half time. It’s pretty simple. journalistic integrity is paramount. https://t.co/JD04HABQer
— Michele Tafoya (@Michele_Tafoya) November 16, 2023
Charissa Thompson making up a sideline report is wrong, weird, and goes against the basic rules of journalism.
— Chelsa Messinger (@ChelsaMessinger) November 17, 2023
But can we NOT let ONE person’s mistake define an entire profession or gender?
The internet always takes things too far 😂
This is extremely infuriating and completely unethical. DON'T FOR ONE SECOND BELIEVE THIS IS THE NORM. This is already a role in a profession that is already stereotyped as just being "eye candy." Good sideline reporters do their homework, talk to players and coaches throughout… https://t.co/3Hrx6WOg2n
— Morgan Uber (@Morgan_Uber) November 16, 2023
Reporter Charissa Thompson admitted outright to lying and even showcased she thought it was funny. Her admission breaks all journalistic principles and is a shot in the back to all diligent reporters who work hard at their jobs. Ive done sideline reporting and it deserves better
— Kelsey Nicole Nelson (KNN) (@therealknelson) November 17, 2023
Some of yall defending Charissa Thompson’s actions would’ve gotten a big fat F in communication law.
— Tamara Brown (@Imtamarabrown) November 16, 2023
Libel, slander, ethics etc ….there are so many things wrong with making up a fake story.
IT IS THAT SERIOUS.
If viewers can’t trust you, how can you be a good journalist?
Thompson has since taken to Instagram to make a statement on the reports on Friday, apologizing for her poor choice of words:
Charissa Thompson speaks out pic.twitter.com/eGWgW6lcVI
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) November 17, 2023
