‘Upsetting on So Many Levels’: Sideline Reporters Slam Charissa Thompson for Saying She Used Fake Quotes
Winslow Townson/AP
Sideline reporters from all over the industry have come out to publicly call out Charissa Thompson for admitting she used fake quotes.
Thompson, now the host of Thursday Night Football, appeared in a recent episode of Barstool Sports’ Pardon My Take where she discussed her experience as a sideline reporter. She admitted that due to the fact that coaches often give generic responses, she’d simply make up quotes if she wasn’t able to get a hold of a coach for an interview before a TV spot. Thompson argued it was harmless because she’d only state the obvious as they likely would have.
The clip has been met with a great deal of backlash, with most of it coming from Thompson’s peers. CBS reporter Tracy Wolfson called it “upsetting on so many levels.”
“This is absolutely not ok, not the norm and upsetting on so many levels,” Wolfson tweeted Thursday. “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.”
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. https://t.co/sl0T7w32u9
— Tracy Wolfson (@tracywolfson) November 16, 2023
Other reporters also noted how important it is to build trust with athletes and coaches, and condemned Thompson for not putting in the work required for the position.
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
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.
(2/2)— Lisa Salters (@saltersl) November 17, 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
I spent 17 years in sports media, and hands-down, sideline reporting was my hardest job ever. You’re trying not to get run over, you’re following the game, you’re listening to the people upstairs, you’re focused on your own hits that you planned, and you’re listening to your… https://t.co/TAzajmZWyX
— Rachel JOY Rohe 💍 (@RachelBaribeau) November 17, 2023
A good portion of the public doesn’t trust the media as is. I cannot believe she would proudly admit this. This causes significant harm to the people who actually take the job seriously. It’s entirely unethical and worthy of never working in the field again. https://t.co/c3s6ErFZOI
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) November 16, 2023
As of Friday morning, Amazon — which broadcasts Thursday Night Football — has not commented on the situation. In fact, Thompson resumed hosting duties as usual at Thursday’s game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens.
