Reporter Consoles Losing NFL Coach, Fans Love It

When Lynn Jones-Turpin raised her hand at a post-game press conference, she didn't fire off a tough question about the Jacksonville Jaguars' playoff loss. Instead, she gave head coach Liam Coen something he needed more: genuine encouragement.

"I'm going to tell you, congratulations on your success, young man," she told him. "You hold your head up. You guys have had a most magnificent season."

The Jaguars had just lost a heartbreaking playoff game to the Buffalo Bills, ending another season without the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance. Coen stood at the podium visibly demoralized, ready to face the usual barrage of accountability questions.

Jones-Turpin's warm words made him beam. "Thank you, ma'am," he said with genuine appreciation.

ESPN's Adam Schefter called it "awesome" when he shared the clip, which racked up nearly 20 million views. Fans loved seeing compassion break through the usually combative dynamic between reporters and coaches.

"Whoever she works for needs to give her a raise," one person wrote. "This really is wonderful," another added. "You can see the kid in the man."

But critics quickly pushed back. Fox News Sports Radio hosts called it a "No-No," saying she sounded like a fan rather than a journalist. Writer Jemele Hill reminded everyone of journalism's first lesson: you aren't a fan.

Sunny's Take

Jones-Turpin's response to her critics was pure gold. She appeared on local Jacksonville news completely unbothered by the backlash.

"I don't take no offense to it," she said calmly. "Listen, I've been in this business more than 25 years. I've interviewed from Barack Obama to Terry Bradshaw to Tiger Woods."

When an AP reporter called her credentials "fake news," she stood firm. "I am a member of the Black Press," she explained, noting that Black newspapers have been around longer than most modern outlets and never conformed to mainstream media's version of objectivity.

"You can call me fake all you want to, honey. I've been doing this a long time," she added with a smile.

Her confident, gracious response won even more hearts than her original moment with Coen. Support poured in from fans who appreciated her approach to journalism that centers humanity alongside truth.

Jones-Turpin joked that she'd become the team's new "grandma" or "auntie." After 25 years in the business and interviews with presidents and sports legends, she knows exactly who she is and won't apologize for bringing warmth to her work.

Sometimes the most professional thing you can do is remember that behind every coach, athlete, and story is a human being who could use a kind word.