Charissa Thompson Addresses Comments Saying She 'Made Up' Sideline Reports

Charissa Thompson admitted to making up reports as a sideline reporter in an appearance on Barstool Sports’ Pardon My Take that was released on Wednesday, but on Friday, the sports anchor backtracked in a written statement on Instagram.

“Let’s address the elephant in the room,” Thompson wrote. “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 3rd 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 on the Amazon Prime Video Thursday Night Football pregame set prior to an NFL football game at Lambeau Field on September 28, 2023, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Thompson has made similar statements in the past. On her own podcast in 2022, she told a story about approaching then-Detroit Lions coach Rod Marinelli at halftime when the team was 0-16 and asking what adjustments they planned to make at halftime.

“He goes, ‘That’s a great perfume you’re wearing,'” Thompson recalled at the time, as transcribed by Sports Illustrated. I was like, ‘Oh f***, this isn’t gonna work.’ I’m not kidding; I made up a report.”

In her comments to Pardon My Take, Thompson said she would occasionally make up reports because the coach didn’t come out at halftime, or because it was too late and she didn’t want to “screw up the report.”

“No coach is going to get mad if I say, ‘Hey, we need to stop hurting ourselves, we need to be better on third down, we need to stop turning the ball over and do a better job of getting off the field,” Thompson told the hosts. “They’re not going to correct me on that. So I’m like, it’s fine, I’ll just make up the report.”

The backlash from sideline reporters to Thompson’s initial comments was significant.

“Shocked. Disappointed. Disgusted,” long-time reporter Lisa Salters posted on X, formerly Twitter. “What we heard today called all sideline reporters into question. My job is an honor, a privilege and a craft at which I have worked so hard…Trust and credibility. They mean everything to a journalist. To violate either one in any way not only makes a mockery of the profession, but is a disservice to players, coaches and, most importantly, to fans.”