Kathryn Tappen Calls Out Charissa Thompson For 'Deplorable' Actions
ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 13: NBC Sports reporter Kathryn Tappen reports from the stands before a game between the Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Bills Stadium on December 13, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
Charissa Thompson made headlines throughout the sports media world when she revealed that she has made up sideline reports during NFL games.
Many other reporters and journalists criticized Thompson for her actions, including fellow sideline reporter Kathryn Tappen.
Tappen called Thompson's admission "deplorable," noting that she and others work hard on their reporting and hold themselves to a high standard.
"We earn respect the hard way. To those commenting on the irrelevant role of sideline reporters- beat it! WE ARE JOURNALISTS. THESE actions are not normal," Tappen added.
Thompson made her comments on the Pardon My Take podcast.
"I’ve said this before, so I haven’t been fired for saying it, but I’ll say it again," she began.
"I would make up the report sometimes because A. the coach wouldn’t come out at halftime or it was too late and I was like, I didn’t want to screw up the report, so I was like, ‘I’m just gonna make this up'."
Thompson noted that she would simply use broad, generalized statements during games where she didn't have access to a coach, justifying her actions by saying that she was saying things that no coach would be upset about or disagree with.
Tappen's take on the situation lines up with what several other members of the media have said following Thompson's admission.
