Fox Sports and Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football host Charissa Thompson has covered the NFL for many years, interviewing countless players along the way. Yet, there’s one quarterback who always manages to make the 42-year-old smile: veteran QB Kirk Cousins.
During the latest episode of her Calm Down podcast, co-hosted with fellow Fox Sports reporter Erin Andrews, Thompson couldn’t help but gush over Cousins. While Thompson is in a relationship with marketing executive Steven Cundari, she has a special fondness for the Minnesota Vikings quarterback, who she described as an all-around great guy.
“I know he takes a lot of s***,” Thompson admitted during the podcast. “People say, ‘Oh, he gets all this money, but he doesn’t win in the playoffs,’ or they criticize him for other reasons. But obviously, you and I get to know these guys on a personal level.”
Thompson went on to explain how much she admires Cousins as both a player and a person. She even encouraged listeners to watch Quarterback on Netflix, which premiered in July 2023, to get a better sense of his character. “He is the sweetest, the kindest, like such a good human being,” she said, reflecting on how she first met him while covering his college days at Michigan State for the Big Ten Network.
One particular moment that stood out for Thompson happened after Cousins’ impressive performance on Thursday Night Football during the Atlanta Falcons’ 36-30 overtime win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5. Cousins, who was a guest on the post-game show, approached the set with his usual politeness, which left a lasting impression on Thompson.
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“He gets up on the set before we go on air, and he’s like, ‘Hi Charissa! I remember when you covered the Big Ten Network,’” Thompson recalled, clearly touched by the quarterback’s warm greeting. “I was like… you sit down right now, you little cutie. He’s just such a class act.”
Thompson’s story followed a lighthearted revelation by fellow Thursday Night Football host Taylor Rooks, who shared how she taught Cousins how to “swag surf” after the same game. The hosts of Thursday Night Football clearly have a lot of love for Cousins, not just for his on-field abilities but also for his genuine, humble personality.
Cousins’ stellar play that night also backed up the affection. During the Falcons’ win over the Buccaneers, he put up career-high numbers, completing 72.4% of his passes for a staggering 509 yards and four touchdowns.
As the NFL season progresses, Cousins continues to prove why he’s not just a good quarterback but also a beloved figure both on and off the field.
Up next, Atlanta (4-2) will host the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7, and with the season heating up, fans and analysts alike will keep a close eye on Cousins and his remarkable performances.
For Charissa Thompson, though, it’s clear that Cousins is more than just a talented player. He’s someone who brings a smile to her face whenever he steps onto the set, and she’s not shy about showing her appreciation for the veteran quarterback.
