In a candid moment during a recent episode of her popular “Calm Down” podcast, veteran sideline reporter Erin Andrews stunned co-host Charissa Thompson with a revelation about a difficult encounter she faced early in her career.
Andrews recounted a horrifying incident involving a Tampa Bay Buccaneers player that left his scarred for years.
The FOX Sports reporter shared the story while responding to fan questions on the podcast.
When asked if she had ever cried at work, Andrews replied with a resounding “YES,” as she recounted the traumatizing incident.
“I was working freelance for an Orlando station, and they wanted sound from the Bucs locker room … A particular player was so nasty to me,” Andrews said.
Recalling the humiliation, Andrews continued, “He physically turned his back away from me in the middle of his scrum. He also told me to go back, rehearse my question and come back when I was ready. I was mortified.”
A young @ErinAndrews getting called out publicly in an NFL locker room and 2 veteran players stepping up to help her out pic.twitter.com/D95L6eT3o8
— Calm Down with Erin and Charissa (@calmdownpodcast) February 27, 2024
The memories of that distressing moment were still vivid for Andrews.
“I was 19, 20 years old. I had practiced. I did slip up a little bit, I stumbled. He knew it. He knew I was young,” she said.
The intensity of the encounter brought Andrews to tears.
“I instantly started having tears come down my face, and two players in particular, Derrick Brooks and John Lynch, saw it, pulled me over, and said, ‘What do you need?’ — Royalty!”
Meanwhile, Thompson was visibly taken aback by the revelation.
“That’s incredible,” she exclaimed. “I never heard you tell that story. Wow.”
Despite the emotional toll of the experience, Andrews opted not to disclose the name of the player who had treated her so poorly during her early days in the industry.
(But if we all had to take a guess to save our lives, I’m pretty sure all of us would have the same response…)
Thompson, reflecting on the support Andrews received from Brooks and Lynch, praised the two players for their compassion.
She also shared her own experiences of vulnerability in the workplace, admitting to shedding tears in front of bosses on occasion.
The 45-year-old Andrews continues to be a prominent figure in sports broadcasting. She is thought to be the highest paid sideline reporter in the NFL.
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Back in 2022, she renewed her contract with FOX for an additional three years.
Meanwhile, Thompson is also a visible part of FOX’s NFL coverage, serving as a studio host in addition to her work on Amazon’s “Thursday Night Football” coverage.
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What are your thoughts on Erin’s story?
As for the player in question, do you have the same guess as the rest of the world???