NBC reporter Melissa Stark has been seeing the game from close quarters when was not even ten. Being the daughter of an eye surgeon named Walter Stark, she often went to the stadium with him. While he treated player’s eye injuries, she was awestruck by the intense emotions of sports. In 1996, just 6 years after starting her journalistic career, she was in ESPN, following her interest in sports in a new avatar. Fast forward almost 3 decades, and she has become a known face in the NFL.

On Sunday, January 5th, she was again on the sidelines during the high-pressure Lions vs Vikings clash at Ford Field. She took the opportunity to reveal on Instagram that it was her 272nd games. She wrote, “On the sidelines for the 272nd & final game of the regular season.” That’s a proud achievement. Being 51 years old, she looked much younger than her age. Dressed in a red top with matching brown pants and a belt, she was all smiles while talking to young athletes.

Fans often get stunned by her looks even at this age. Melissa Stark has worked hard to keep herself fit physically, paying attention to her diet. Her red-brown outfit on Monday turned eyeballs as fans wrote that she still looked great. One person even called her the best reporter in the NFL and wrote, “Best of the Best 🏈” That is somewhat right as well.

Starting in the mid-1990s, she worked her way up the football world. Back then, there weren’t many women reporters in football, or sports in general. But she changed everything. Reporting from the sidelines in 272 games is not a simple task. She also uses such moments to celebrate like she did on Thanksgiving in 2024 with Jordan Love & the Packers.

Fans love these things. However, during the week 18 game on Sunday, she celebrated another milestone. It was a collective effort.

Melissa Stark marks a memorable milestone

Along with the photos from the game, she aptly captioned it, “It was the 21st game we’ve covered this year – 2 playoff games to go for our @snf crew 🙌🏼” That’s a great achievement. She has traveled extensively this year. And covered all the important games. She was on the sidelines during the snow shower at Highmark Stadium when Josh Allen faced Brock Purdy in week 13.

Melissa Stark also reported during the Chiefs vs Steelers Christmas game, interviewing Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones. Wherever she goes, fans are amazed by her looks. When she returned to the NFL sidelines in 2022 after a long hiatus from football to focus on other events like the Olympics, fans had even wondered if she had become more beautiful with age.

It has been a sweet joy ride for the young girl from Baltimore who has become the face of sports media. It has been crazy at times. But that’s the adventure it brings to life.