Charissa Thompson clears the air in statement after backlash to NFL sideline report admission

Fox Sports host Charissa Thompson caused a bit of a stir earlier this week when she revealed on the Pardon My Take podcast that she “would make up the report sometimes” as a sideline reporter.

Thompson received plenty of backlash for those comments on Thursday.

Friday morning, she took to Instagram to explain her comments in a statement.

“OK, let’s address the elephant in the room. I have a responsibility to myself and 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.

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. For example, if a team was 0 for 7 on third down, that would clearly be an area they need to improve on in the second half. 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.”

Charissa Thompson gets torched by colleagues

Multiple sideline reporters and journalists from across the sports world came out to express their displeasure with Thompson’s comments.

“This is not normal or ethical,” ESPN’s Molly McGrath tweeted. “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.”

CBS’ Tracy Wolfson added a similar tweet, “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.”

Many more rushed to social media to share similar opinions on the matter. Those posts were done before Thompson’s explanation, so it’s unclear if anyone feels differently now.