Thompson’s feedback on fabricating her reviews throughout video games got here as she was reflecting on what she did on the sidelines when she wasn’t capable of get quotes from coaches.
“I’ve mentioned this earlier than, so I have not been fired for saying it, however I am going to say it once more. I might make up the report generally,” she revealed on the Nov. 15 episode of the Pardon My Take podcast, per Entertainment Tonight. “As a result of, A, the coach would not come out at halftime, or it was too late and… I did not wish to screw up the report, so I used to be like, ‘I am simply going to make this up.'”
She continued, “No coach goes to get mad if I say, ‘Hey, we have to cease hurting ourselves,’ ‘We have to be higher on third down.’ They don’t seem to be not gonna right me on that, so I am like, ‘Superb, I am going to simply make up the report.'”
Her feedback have been swiftly criticized by many, together with different ladies who’ve labored as sideline reporters.
“As one in every of solely 3 ladies within the @ProFootballHOF,” Emmy Award profitable sports activities reporter Andrea Kremer wrote on X, previously Twitter, Nov. 16. “I am sickened by the insulting mockery being manufactured from sideline reporting, a difficult position primarily manned by ladies – most of whom perceive & respect the values of journalism and are integral, trusted members of a broadcast group.”
ESPN broadcaster Molly McGrath added, “Younger reporters: This isn’t regular or moral. Coaches and gamers belief us with delicate info, and in the event that they know that you just’re dishonest and do not take your position severely, you’ve got misplaced all belief and credibility.”