NFL sideline reporter doubles down on ‘making up’ reports. ‘Completely unethical’

UPDATE:

Charissa Thompson addressed the backlash she received after appearing on the Barstool podcast via Instagram on Nov. 17.

“Ok, let’s address the elephant in the room,” the journalist wrote. “I have a responsibility to myselfand my employers to clarify what is being reported. When on a podcast this week, I said I would make up reports early in my career when I worked as a sideline reporter before I transitioned to my current host role.”

“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 went on to describe a situation in which she “would use information” that she received from what she witnessed during a game without attributing the words 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.”

The original story is below:

The sports media has been taken aback by the puzzling admission of a popular reporter. Charissa Thompson, a host and sportscaster for Fox Sports, admitted — for a second time — that she fabricated news reports when broadcasting from NFL sidelines.

Earlier this week, Thompson appeared on Barstool’s “Pardon My Take” podcast with Dan Katz and talked about giving sideline reports when she had absolutely nothing to report on.

“I’ve said this before,” Thompson said on the podcast. “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.’”

Other media members and sports fans were baffled at Thompson’s blatant remarks and took to social media to express their anger.

Thompson had admitted on her 2022 podcast “Calm Down with Erin and Charissa,” with fellow veteran sports reporter Erin Andrews, that she would “make up reports” in order to cover up for coaches who barely give anything worth reporting on.

“I was like, ‘Oh, Coach what adjustments are you gonna make at halftime?’ He goes, ‘That’s a great perfume you’re wearing.’ I was like, ‘Oh (expletive), this isn’t gonna work.’ I’m not kidding, I made up a report,” Thompson said on the podcast.

Andrews sided with Thompson.

“I’ve done that too,” Andrews said. “For a coach that I didn’t wanna throw under the bus because he was telling me all the wrong stuff!”

Thompson has been in the sports business since 2007 and has worked for major networks like the Big Ten Network, ESPN and Fox. She’s currently the host of “Fox NFL Kickoff” and “Thursday Night Football” on Amazon Prime Video.

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