Jemele Hill always seems to find a race-related angle, even when there’s seemingly nothing there.
Charissa Thompson sparked controversy when she admitted to fabricating coaches’ comments during her time as an NFL sideline reporter. In a recent episode of the Pardon My Take podcast, the Thursday Night Football host acknowledged that, if unable to secure an interview with a coach during a game, she would make up reports. Thompson later claimed she had “chosen the wrong words” and justified her actions by suggesting that her fabricated comments weren’t far from what a coach might actually say.
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The admission drew criticism from current and former sideline reporters, with Lisa Salters expressing shock, disappointment, and disgust. Salters emphasized the importance of trust and credibility in journalism and how violating these principles does a disservice to the profession, players, coaches, and fans.
Jemele Hill, taking to X, shared her perspective on the issue and its impact on Black women in the industry. She expressed infinite respect for Lisa Salters and highlighted the sense of betrayal felt by many, especially Black women, in response to Thompson’s admission.
Despite the backlash, Charissa Thompson continued to be prominently featured on Prime Video’s broadcast for the Bengals-Ravens game on Thursday night. It appears that neither Amazon nor Fox Sports is taking any immediate action against her.
Thompson, who previously hosted an ESPN afternoon program, currently hosts Fox Sports’ Sunday “NFL Kickoff” and Amazon Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football.” This isn’t the first time she has admitted to making up a report, as she confessed to the same during her “Calm Down” podcast in 2022 when reflecting on her time as a sideline reporter in 2008.
The backlash against Thompson has been consistent since her admission, and it shows no signs of slowing down.
