Richard Jefferson Gives 3-Word Take on Charissa Thompson’s Fake Sideline Reporting Scandal

A former NFL sideline reporter, Charissa Thompson, made a startling confession regarding her erstwhile career. It’s resulted in all kinds of reactions from sports fans. However, on the sportscasting side and with some professional athletes, this situation doesn’t warrant this much attention. Someone who is not for this unnecessary drama is retired NBA pro Richard Jefferson. He has endorsed a media veteran’s take on the matter in a succinct statement.

Jefferson went from a dazzling NBA career, including the 2016 championship, to the broadcasting booth. And he’s on the side of Thompson.

Richard Jefferson wants to tone down the Charissa Thompson hate

Charissa Thompson admitted that when she was an NFL sideline reporter, she made up comments from coaches. But Rachel Bonnetta, a former NFL Network host, defended her stating that this is a problem female reporters in sports face. They aren’t taken seriously enough for coaches to willingly give them a soundbite, something Thompson did say.

“It’s 5 ‘o clock on the West Coast and her name is still trending on Twitter…” Bonnetta said about all the unfair attention Thompson is getting. “I don’t know why we had to do that. Feels kinda… gross…”

Richard Jefferson agreed with Bonnetta, retweeting her video with a simple addition. “Well said Rachel!” the NBA champion and ESPN analyst said.

The bigger picture of what Thompson said was, “I’ve said this before, so I haven’t been fired for saying it, but I’ll say it again. 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.” 

Bonnetta would confirm this is the plight of sideline reporting. Prefacing with how sideline reporters only get a couple of minutes in an entire broadcast to secure a comment, she added that they put in an entire week researching and often get looked over by coaches and athletes. Bonnetta, who became an NFL Network fave for her humor, was laid off earlier this year. Fans were disappointed to see her go till she moved to WME.

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Richard Jefferson has been both an athlete and a sportscaster. And he’s approving Bonnetta’s take. It’s one of the few moments he’s been expressive in fewer words.

Richard Jefferson’s witty reaction to a headlock incident

The former Cavaliers star has turned his second act into a success with wit, hilarity, and smart decisions. The league analyst will take on a troll or two online or take jabs at JJ Redick.

Most recently, he reacted to the infamous headlock incident between Draymond Green and Rudy Gobert. He savored the memes on the altercation and was caught laughing on air at one of the viral TikTok parodies of it. He’d not spare Green of his sarcasm either.

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Jefferson’s response to the Draymond debacle and the Charissa debate has elicited their own responses from social media users. Do you agree with his take on it?