Before the start of the 2024 NFL regular season, veteran FOX Sports reporter Erin Andrews found herself facing a difficult time, both personally and professionally. On her podcast, Calm Down with Erin and Charissa, Andrews opened up about the overwhelming challenges she was dealing with leading up to Week 1, offering a rare glimpse into her personal struggles.
During the episode, Andrews admitted to feeling unusually off as the NFL season kicked off, attributing her stress to a variety of factors in her life. “It was a lot because it’s Week 1, and for some reason—I was talking to my dad, I was talking to you (Charissa Thompson), you were picking me up off the floor—I just have a lot going on,” she shared candidly. “For some reason, I didn’t feel like Stella had her groove. I was really struggling in the confidence area of the show.”
In addition to the pressure of her high-profile job, Andrews revealed that things at home were adding to her stress. She was juggling responsibilities with her young son, Mack, while dealing with unexpected household issues. “Just dealing with a lot of stuff going on with (my son Mack), our house—our air conditioner crapped the bed the night before the game. It’s 80 degrees inside our house and I’ve got a baby and a dog, it was just a lot,” Andrews explained.
The open and vulnerable discussion struck a chord with NFL fans, many of whom took to social media to express their thoughts and support for Andrews. While some fans criticized her for complaining about problems that money could solve, others quickly came to her defense.
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One fan offered a contrasting perspective, writing, “I am sorry for your difficulties. Please take a minute and put this in the proper perspective. You have money. You can go to a hotel or get an AC repair quite fast. Now imagine if you are poor with a couple of kids, no dog, and no AC. It hasn’t worked in weeks. This is an everyday situation. Are things looking better now?”
However, many others sympathized with Andrews, pointing out that financial security doesn’t exempt someone from emotional struggles. “Everybody has tough times no matter how much money they have. You don’t know her financial situation or her personal relationships. She probably didn’t say everything that was bothering her either. People, rich or poor, still have brains and feelings, don’t they?” one fan countered, adding, “Sounds like it was a hectic morning/afternoon and she only has to be live on prime-time national TV, no big deal, right? Dude, let her be. Worry about yourself and your own problems.”
Others commended Andrews for her honesty. “Women who support and lift up other women is my love language,” one fan wrote. Another added, “I commend Erin for speaking so openly about this! I wish more women would speak up so that we know we aren’t alone in our moments of weakness!”
Despite the challenges she faced, Andrews remains a consummate professional. Fans are hopeful she’ll regain her confidence heading into Week 2 of the NFL season, where she’s set to cover the Cowboys vs. Saints game on FOX.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, and all eyes will be on Andrews, not just for her reporting, but for her strength in overcoming the personal obstacles she so bravely shared.
