Whatever career you decide to go into, but especially in sports media, it is important to be authentic to who you are even when a bad situation happens to you. That was the case for FOX Sports analyst Charissa Thompson. Back in January 2018, private photos of Thompson were stolen off of her iCloud account and leaked to the public.
On this week’s Renaissance Man podcast with Jalen Rose, Thompson said her sense of humor helps her deal with the people that still post comments on her social media and how her bosses at FOX helped her feel better during a difficult time by including her in an event that she wasn’t even working.
“My employer, this is where FOX is so incredible. When all that happened to me, my bosses put me on a plane to the NFC Championship Game to Philadelphia to be with all the guys because they were like hey, this bad thing happened to you, but we want you to be with your family. I flew there and I wasn’t even working and they were so wonderful to me. My employer wrapped their arms around me and they were like we got you. It’s about remaining authentic even when a crappy thing happens.”
For Thompson, the goal for her in her career was to always do something that put her closer to her dream job. Since she was in Seattle and ESPN is on the other side of the country, she looked to get into FOX Sports in Los Angeles when she got out of college. Thompson took the unconventional route to get her foot in the door and then had to be sneaky to grow her career.
“I took the only job that was available in that building, which was Human Resources. In that job, I would sneak up to the highlights department at night and would log tapes. The path for me was do anything, do any job, don’t be above it. Be willing to go to a small market.”
Thompson and Rose used to work together at ESPN from 2011-2013. She even said that she wanted to name her first child Jalen because of how much of a fan she was of him growing up.
In fact, Thompson thanks Rose for some advice that she gave her when she got to ESPN about always looking ahead to the future while still taking time to appreciate where you are in the present moment.
“I remember I got there and I was so excited and you said to me, appreciate your position, but plan your promotion. It has always stuck with me. Everyone is like just be happy where you are and I am, but I am always thinking about what’s next, trying to maximize the opportunity and potential in this window.”
Thompson, who also hosts the Calm Down podcast with Erin Andrews, says the podcast has come at a good time in her and Erin’s life because “It’s an opportunity to be real” and a “great forum for us to just talk.”
