A journalist has initiated a significant debate online following her words of encouragement to an NFL coach.
After the Jacksonville Jaguars faced a narrow 24-27 defeat to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday (January 11), the team’s coach, Liam Coen, seemed quite disheartened.
During the post-game interview, Lynn Jones, a reporter with the Jacksonville Free Press, offered a message of support.
“I just want to tell you congratulations on your success, young man,” she expressed to Coen. “You hold your head up, alright? You guys have had a most magnificent season.
“You did a great job out there today. So you just hold your head up, OK?”
She continued: “You keep it going. We got another season, OK? Take care and much continued success to you and the entire team.”
Coen responded with a smile and gratitude towards Jones.
While many viewed this as a heartwarming interaction, some deemed it unprofessional.
Journalists are expected to maintain neutrality, and some social media users felt that her remarks blurred that line, suggesting she seemed more like a fan than a reporter.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, one individual commented: “Very nice, but completely inappropriate in this setting as credentialed media.”
Another critic commented: “Your job is not to turn a presser into an affirmation circle, no matter how good your intention.
“You can tell him this off to the side, or just text him or PR to pass it on to him.
“Time is limited. Make it about asking good questions.”
This reporter's message to Liam Coen following the Jags' Wild Card loss 🥹 pic.twitter.com/wq4yhG317y
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 11, 2026
Another questioned whether Jones was a ‘cheerleader or a reporter’.
However, some people supported Jones, appreciating the ‘beautiful’ moment.
“This is the encouragement we all need after tough losses like this,” another X user noted. “You could hear it in her voice and see it on his face. Beautiful.”
“We could all learn something from this reporter!” added another person.
Jones has since responded to the criticism surrounding her supportive remarks.
Remaining undeterred, she told the Washington Post that her comments were simply reflecting the community’s sentiments.
The words ‘just came out’, she noted, adding: “I didn’t pre-think this. I didn’t know he was going to need to hold his head up until he came out.”
Speaking to Jacksonville TV station WJXT, she said: “My question was, ‘Keep your head up, young man. Young man, this entire year we have rooted for this team over more than 30 years.
“Do you understand what I was saying? This stadium, the solemness. I mean, it was packed.”
Regarding the somewhat negative feedback, Jones stood her ground: “I don’t take no offense to it. Listen, I’ve been in this business more than 25 years.”