When Erin Andrews talks, people listen. When she fires off a message about cutting toxicity out of your life? That’s when you really take notes. The longtime FOX Sports broadcaster, who’s spent years on the NFL sidelines dodging flying footballs (and even frostbite!), isn’t navigating contract negotiations. Instead, she’s making it clear where she stands on personal boundaries.
The one which has not come directly through her. But the revelation came through her podcast Calm Down with Erin and Charissa, where she and fellow broadcaster Charissa Thompson dish on life, sports, and everything in between. But this time, it wasn’t just laughs and sideline stories. Thompson got real about how Andrews gave her an ultimatum when it came to dealing with toxic relationships.
“Erin stood by me through stuff that she’s like, ‘Jesus, enough of this,’” Thompson admitted. “I would probably still be in a bad place if it wasn’t for the ultimatum that she gave me.” Now, that’s a teammate who doesn’t just hold the clipboard—she calls the plays.
The same Erin Andrews who’s tackled Super Bowl interviews and handled tough press conferences isn’t letting negativity fester in her personal life, either. Why? Because, as she sees it, toxic people are like bad coaching—stick with them too long, and they’ll drag you down with them.
Image Credits: Social media, taken from Instagram @Erin Andrews
“If this person is toxic to you, why are you going to subject yourself to something that’s not the best thing for you?” Thompson quoted Andrews saying. Tough love? Absolutely. But sometimes, that’s what it takes.
This kind of honesty isn’t new for Andrews. She’s been through career shakeups, high-pressure interviews, and personal struggles—all while staying at the top of her game. And with her contract up, you have to wonder—how much of this mindset is factoring into her next career move?
Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson are in this together
Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson’s friendship isn’t just about football—it’s about having someone in your corner, on and off the mic. These two have swapped stories, shared outfits, and even traded playful jabs about gray hairs (Thompson swears she doesn’t get them, which, let’s just say, Andrews wasn’t thrilled to hear).
But beneath all that, when we hear Calm Down there’s an instant resonation towards Erin and Charissa as ONE. In an industry that can feel like fourth-and-long, having a teammate who pushes you forward is invaluable. And they have done that for each other on and off the screen.
So, what’s next? With their contracts at FOX officially in the rearview, both are looking ahead. Andrews has made it clear—she’s not wasting her time on anything (or anyone) that doesn’t add value. And Thompson? She’s cracking jokes about retirement communities in Florida where they can roll out of bed, report the morning news a couple of days a week, and call it a career.
Sounds like a pretty solid game plan, if you ask me.
But let’s not call it quits just yet. Andrews isn’t shutting the door on FOX completely. “I really hope I’m still employed by FOX when FOX gets a Vegas Super Bowl,” she admitted. And who can blame her? Covering the biggest game of the year in the entertainment capital of the world? That’s a dream assignment.
Plus, if the idea of people drinking Bloody Marys at 9 a.m. while she’s on a panel is any indication, Andrews knows how wild those Super Bowl weeks can get.
Thompson, meanwhile, isn’t exactly heading into the offseason. She’s still holding down the fort on Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football coverage, making sure we don’t miss a beat. If FOX ever calls her back for another Super Bowl, though? Let’s just say she might have that phone on loud.
For now, the two are embracing the unknown. Where they end up next? That’s still up in the air.
The post Out of Contract Erin Andrews’ Strong Message on Toxicity as FOX Broadcaster Announces Retirement Plans With Charissa Thompson appeared first on EssentiallySports.
