Journalist's comments to NFL coach spark major debate online as some label exchange as 'inappropriate'

A journalist has sparked major debate online after offering words of encouragement to an NFL coach.

After the Jacksonville Jaguar's 24-27 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday (January 11), the former's coach, Liam Coen, appeared pretty downtrodden.

During the post-match interview, Lynn Jones, a journalist with the Jacksonville Free Press, shared a message of support.

“I just want to tell you congratulations on your success, young man,” she told 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 smiled and thanked Jones in response.

And while most saw it as a wholesome exchange, others reckoned it was an unprofessional move.

Journalists are supposed to be unbiased, and some social media users felt her comments crossed a line, with her acting more like a supporter than a reporter.

Reaction to Lynn Jones' comments

Over on X, formerly Twitter, one person weighed in: "Very nice, but completely inappropriate in this setting as credentialed media."

A second criticized: "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."

A third questioned whether Jones was a 'cheerleader or a reporter'.

Others were on Jones' side and were quick to praise the 'beautiful' moment.

"This is the encouragement we all need after tough losses like this," another X user said. "You could hear it in her voice and see it on his face. Beautiful."

"We could all learn something from this reporter!' somebody else said.

What Jones makes of the backlash

Jones herself has since addressed the backlash surrounding her words of affirmation.

She remains unfazed and told the Washington Post she was simply highlighting what the community was feeling.

The words 'just came out', she said, 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.”

On the somewhat negative response she received, Jones held her own: "I don’t take no offense to it. Listen, I’ve been in this business more than 25 years.”