Skip Bayless, known for his passionate and sometimes controversial takes on sports, got a taste of his own medicine during a recent episode of his self-titled show. Following Thanksgiving, the 73-year-old sports media personality was playfully roasted by his wife, Ernestine, as they discussed their relationship and his unwavering devotion to the Dallas Cowboys.
The lighthearted banter took place while the couple was talking about the Paramount+ series Lioness. Ernestine, who has been married to Bayless since 2016, took the opportunity to humorously call out her husband’s obsession with the Cowboys, painting a vivid picture of the lengths Skip would go just to watch his beloved team in action.
“The house could be on fire, and just as long as the TV is still not on fire, you will sit in the house watching it and just tell the fire department to put the fire out around me,” Ernestine quipped, according to Awful Announcing. “Me, I would be out of the house in one second because I don’t want to die in a fire. You have to watch the Dallas Cowboys and see if they’re going to lose, and then you could complain a little bit about it.”
Bayless laughed along with his wife’s gentle ribbing, acknowledging the truth in her words. He then took a stroll down memory lane, recounting their very first date when he warned Ernestine about his unyielding devotion to his career—and to sports. It was a candid conversation that set the tone for their relationship from the start.
“I swore an oath to this life,” Bayless said, explaining how he had been upfront with Ernestine about his career commitments.
During that fateful first date, Bayless famously told Ernestine, “You’ll always be 1A to my job,” letting her know that his professional life would always play a significant role in their relationship. Despite that seemingly harsh declaration, the romance flourished, and the couple found a way to make it work.
Bayless went on to praise his wife, calling her “the most loyal companion anybody’s ever had.” He reflected on the qualities that attracted him to Ernestine in the first place, highlighting the things that made her different from him.
“I was most attracted to the fact that you didn’t like sports,” Bayless said. “Because I don’t want a me. I don’t want somebody who is going to obsess with me and feed my addiction to sports, so that was number one.” He went on to note another endearing quality: “Number two, you didn’t cook. And I came from a family that went deep in cooks, starting with my brother, who’s world-renowned, and the point is, you didn’t boil water, you didn’t do anything.”
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The episode also featured a special guest appearance by the couple’s beloved dog, Hazel, who joined them on set. Hazel’s presence added another layer of warmth to the lighthearted segment, showing a more personal side of Bayless that his fans rarely get to see.
Reflecting on Their Relationship
This isn’t the first time Bayless has shared his deep appreciation for Ernestine. In a 2019 interview with The Post, Bayless described his wife as “the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me.” He added, “I get emotional about it because she is so real, so true, and so loyal. I don’t know anyone who could put up with me, but she has from Day 1. We are not just good together. We are great together.”
Bayless and Ernestine have carved out a unique partnership that has weathered the challenges of Skip’s demanding career in sports media. While Skip remains fully engrossed in his career, Ernestine has managed to keep a healthy balance in their relationship—often serving as a grounding force when his sports fanaticism becomes all-consuming.
In fact, Ernestine wrote a book titled Balls: How to Keep Your Relationship Alive When You Live with a Sports-Obsessed Guy, offering insights into how she’s navigated life alongside a partner whose life revolves around sports.
The Cowboys Obsession
Skip Bayless’s love for the Dallas Cowboys is well-documented, and his passion for the team is often on full display during his broadcasts and social media posts. On Thanksgiving, Bayless took to X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate the Cowboys’ 27-20 win over the New York Giants, a result that surely delighted the die-hard fan.
He shared his joy with his followers, demonstrating that, despite being in the media spotlight for decades, his enthusiasm for the game—and for the Cowboys—remains as strong as ever.
But as Ernestine pointed out, Skip’s obsession with the Cowboys sometimes borders on extreme. Her humorous depiction of Bayless choosing to stay in a burning house as long as the television wasn’t damaged perfectly encapsulates his dedication to the team.
It’s this unyielding loyalty that makes Bayless a fan favorite but also a frequent target of criticism and jokes—sometimes from his own family.
Moving Forward After Undisputed
The post-Thanksgiving episode comes just a few months after Skip Bayless left his longtime role as host of Undisputed, following an eight-year run at Fox Sports. Bayless, who is known for his strong opinions and debates, has since focused on his own projects, including the self-titled show where the recent exchange with Ernestine took place.
While he may have left the set of Undisputed, Bayless remains a central figure in the world of sports commentary, and his new show provides a platform for him to continue sharing his thoughts—both the serious and the humorous.
With Ernestine by his side, Bayless appears to be enjoying this new chapter in his career. The playful banter between the couple gives viewers a glimpse into the personal life of a man who is often seen as fiery and intense.
Ernestine’s ability to poke fun at Skip’s obsession with the Cowboys shows the lighthearted and loving dynamic they share, even as they navigate a life filled with work commitments and high-pressure sports fandom.
Skip Bayless’s devotion to his job—and the Dallas Cowboys—might be intense, but it’s clear that Ernestine’s love and support play a crucial role in keeping him grounded.
Whether it’s celebrating a Cowboys win or enduring a roast from his wife on national television, Bayless knows he has a loyal partner by his side, ready to support him in all his endeavors.
In the end, Ernestine’s playful roasting of Skip Bayless is just another reminder that behind the serious sports takes and intense debates, there’s a family man who is lucky to have a partner who understands and embraces him, quirks and all. And for Bayless, that support makes all the difference.
