‘Congrats, Younger Man’: The Second That Shook the Press Room
*After the Jacksonville Jaguars’ heartbreaking playoff loss to the Buffalo Payments within the NFL playoffs, most reporters had been gearing as much as grill rookie head coach Liam Coen. However Lynn Jones-Turpin had different plans. The longtime Jacksonville Free Press journalist stepped to the mic and provided one thing uncommon in postgame chaos — empathy.
“Congratulations in your success, younger man,” she mentioned, prompting a smooth “Thanks, ma’am” from Coen. It was a human second — candy, temporary, and now essentially the most controversial factor to occur at a press convention since Marshawn Lynch mentioned nothing in any respect.
Media Elite ERUPT: ‘This Isn’t Journalism!’
In the event you thought kindness was free, suppose once more. Sports activities reporters throughout the nation took trip of their objectivity campaign to roast Jones-Turpin. AP’s Mark Lengthy led the pearl-clutching, calling it “unprofessional.” Others muttered about decorum, requirements, and presumably revoked press credentials.
Some even recommended it hurts the credibility of ladies and minority journalists. As a result of nothing screams “credibility” like policing how a Black girl from a Black newspaper chooses to talk to a head coach she’s coated all yr.
Love seeing these sports activities “journalists” getting ABSOLUTELY BURIED for being curmudgeon bums..
OBVIOUSLY NOT ALL OF THEM however a LARGE % of these items hate sports activities.. they hate what sports activities are for folks (happiness).. They hate what sports activities are for society (unifier).. they’re… pic.twitter.com/KOVLOUwXQ6
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 12, 2026
Pat McAfee, Followers Defend the ‘Healthful Queen’
Not everybody was fuming over Jones’ second. Followers flooded X with reward. Pat McAfee — by no means one to mince phrases — referred to as the haters “curmudgeon bums.” Many noticed the gesture as refreshing in a world of robotic pressers and repetitive questions.
Supporters identified that Coen had simply led one of many best rookie teaching seasons in NFL historical past. Possibly, simply possibly, he deserved a little bit encouragement. And from somebody who’s spent 25+ years reporting on the group? Even higher.
Lynn Jones Responds: ‘Assist the Black Press’
Showing on News4JAX, Jones-Turpin stood ten toes down. She reminded viewers of her many years in journalism and her position with the Black-owned Jacksonville Free Press. She disregarded the drama with a easy message: “Assist the Black Press.”
She didn’t apologize. She didn’t flinch. And if something, her inventory solely went up — particularly in Jaguars circles the place gamers, coaches, and employees reportedly respect her deeply.
The Race, Respectability, and Press Field Politics
This isn’t nearly a single sentence in a press convention. It’s about who will get to determine what professionalism seems like. Jones-Turpin’s critics are principally from big-name retailers. Her defenders? Followers, native media, and individuals who truly *discuss* to gamers recurrently.
The second uncovered a deep tradition conflict in sports activities journalism. Previous-school “objectivity” varieties vs. community-based reporters who care concerning the folks behind the rostrum. Guess which aspect went viral for being relatable?
Liam Coen’s File-Setting Season Deserved a Second
Let’s speak about Coach Coen. The person went from offensive coordinator to engineering a 13-4 season with a group that received simply 4 video games the yr earlier than. It’s the perfect first-year turnaround in NFL historical past. And he did all of it with poise.
In a room filled with reporters able to dissect his loss, he was met with heat. That single smile to Jones-Turpin mentioned all of it: the second mattered. Generally journalism can afford to be human — and nonetheless do its job.
Followers Clap Again: ‘Y’all Mad As a result of She Was Good?’
On boards like Lipstick Alley, the vitality was… not delicate. Followers tore into the outrage prefer it was a soft-shell crab. “Y’all mad as a result of she was good?” one publish learn. One other aimed toward different Black journalists siding with the critics, calling it “lame and embarrassing.”
A number of echoed a standard theme: athletes don’t belief many journalists. They’re bored with gotcha questions. Jones-Turpin gave them a second of grace. And the sports activities world caught emotions about it.
Why the Lynn Jones Jaguars Second Will Be Remembered
This wasn’t a mistake. It wasn’t fan-girling. It was a journalist making a selection — to be actual, form, and human in a high-stress setting. And whether or not you liked it or hated it, you’re nonetheless speaking about it days later.
The sports activities media gatekeepers might not prefer it, however for everybody else? It was one of the crucial real press convention moments in years. Welcome to 2026 — the place empathy is controversial, and “younger man” is preventing phrases.
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