NFL Press Conference Sparks Debate Over Empathy In Sports Journalism

The question that resonated loudest and longest Jan. 11 from an NFL wild-card game’s post-game press conference was less query than statement, and it touched off a debate about how sports journalists do their jobs.

On one side was Lynn Jones-Turpin of the Jacksonville Free Press who, after the team’s season-ending playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, she used her credentialed access to the post-game press conference to offer first-year head coach Liam Coen a 22-second message of encouragement.

On the other side were longtime members of the sports journalism establishment, some of whom described the exchange as “embarrassing” and argued it crossed professional boundaries. They labeling it unprofessional at best and unethical at worst.

The moment, however, raised a broader question for the sports journalism industry. At issue is whether expressions of compassion are compatible with professional norms in credentialed media settings, and how empathy, accountability and professionalism intersect in modern sports coverage.

Questionable Comments

The remarks from Jones-Turpin, who has covered the Jaguars for more than three decades, started 2:08 into a 6:13 press conference. They may have passed unnoticed if not for a video clip shared by Adam Schefter, who described it as an “awesome post-game exchange.”

“I just want to tell you, congratulations on your success, young man,” Jones-Turpin told Coen. “You hold your head up, all right? You guys have had a most magnificent season. You did a great job out there today.”

It was a tenor rarely heard in an industry that prides itself on asking tough questions and then showing up to face the backlash that might come from those inquiries.

The Backlash

Once amplified, Jones-Turpin’s comments drew criticism from veteran reporters, who argued that offering kindness without query in a postgame press conference blurs the line between journalism and advocacy.

Critics argued that the press conference is not a space to build rapport, but to press for answers and accountability fans cannot obtain themselves.

Others framed the exchange as reflective of a media culture more concerned with being liked, and getting and keeping access, at the expense of in-depth reporting.

ESPN’s Jenna Laine brought up the struggles women face in sports media careers, highlighting the long-standing double standard for female reporters, where warmth or empathy is seen as weakness, bias or a lack of skill.

“This reporter sounds incredibly sweet and thoughtful,” Laine tweeted. “I can tell she comes from a place of love. But if one of us–her female peers–did this after a postseason game in 2007, we would not have been allowed back.”

Supporting Jones-Turpin

Some prominent journalists and media figures defended Jones-Turpin’s humanity and argued empathy is not incompatible with sportswriting’s goals.

ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt saw the moment as “refreshing” and encouraged critics to “relax.” Pat McAfee, who came to the media landscape after retiring as an NFL player, criticized those attacking Jones-Turpin as “curmudgeon bums” who “hate sports.”

Journalism ethics

One key distinction between journalists and those who simply post information is adherence to established ethical standards. The Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics offers clear guidance for journalists, and among its policies are to:

• Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived
• Distinguish news from commentary

Critics could argue that offering praise in a credentialed setting could appear to compromise independence. They could see such a pep talk as commentary–not information-gathering–in a place expected to produce news, not reflect emotion.

But neither of these ethical principles–nor the code as a whole–prohibit compassion. Other elements of the same code can be used to support Jones-Turpin’s actions, including:

• Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect.
• Show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage.

Empathy and sports ethics

Ethical guidelines specifically governing sports journalism emphasize avoiding conflicts of interest, and encourage transparency and public trust. None prohibit empathy, but they do warn against any action that compromises independence, mislead audiences or creates hidden entanglements.

The debate around Jones-Turpin ultimately hinges less on whether compassion belongs in sports journalism but rather where it belongs. Her comments did not appear to prevent any reporters from asking questions, and Coen did not seem offended. Instead, he responded shyly with a “Thank you, ma’am. I appreciate it.”

Empathy can build relationships. It can also shape questions, guide listening and inform storytelling without replacing inquiry. The distinction—between acknowledging context and endorsing performance—is subtle but central to how credibility is maintained.

Compassion and sports

Audience expectations complicate that balance. Fans increasingly value authenticity and humanity from public figures, but journalists remain charged with accountability and independence. That tension leaves reporters navigating professional norms and competing ideas of what credibility looks like in such public-facing moments.

The pace and structure of sports reporting leave little opportunity for private relationship-building, making the public press conference the primary forum for all questions and comments, with little room for a personal exchange.

But compassion is not the same as affirmation. There is a big difference between acknowledging, “That was a difficult ending to your season” and saying, “You did a great job.”

One recognizes reality; the other assigns judgment.

For some critics, the line remains clear: Uplifting a head coach after a loss is not part of a sports reporter’s job.

The unresolved question, however, is not whether compassion belongs in coverage, but where it belongs, and how its presence reshapes the relationships between reporters, coaches and athletes in an era of diminished access, amplified visibility and heightened scrutiny.