Fox Sports and Amazon Prime Video host Charissa Thompson used to be a sideline reporter for NFL games and her one statement about things she used to do set off a wave of criticism among current and former reporters.
Thompson’s admission that she used to invent sideline reports is a disparaging moment for a profession that already faces too much.
Thompson recently admitted to fabricating her reports during a stint as an NFL sideline reporter in the late 2000s.
“I’ve said this before, so I haven’t been fired for saying it, but I’ll say it again. I would make up the report sometimes, because the coach wouldn’t come out at halftime, or it was too late and I didn’t want to screw up the report,” Thompson said, per “Pardon My Take.” “I was like, ‘I’m just gonna make this up.’”
The backlash has been heavy and she could no longer stay quiet about it.
Taking to Instagram on Friday, Thompson addressed her comments. She apologized for choosing “the wrong words” while making it clear she never attributed anything to a coach or a player falsely.
“Working in media I understand how important words are and I chose the 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… In these instances I never attributed anything I said to a player or coach.
“I have nothing but respect for sideline reporters and for the tireless work they put in behind the scenes and on the field. I am only appreciative and humbled to work alongside some of the best in the business and call them some of my best friends.”
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To make sure she did not receive more backlash, she turned off comments on the post.
The backlash from her statement could continue since there was already a plethora of fans who think sideline reporters are useless unless they are reporting on an injury.
There is still no word on if she will face any type of punishment from Fox Sports or Amazon Prime Video.
