For a seasoned sideline reporter like Erin Andrews, discussing career sacrifices is routine, but her latest advice sparked a debate that questioned the very definition of a tough job in the NFL world. Like many, it didn’t sit well with ESPN’s Jenna Laine.

The ESPN reporter pointed out that plenty of people with fewer advantages make the same sacrifices. Laine didn’t dismiss Andrews’ sacrifices but shed light on how things are tough for people in every other job.

“I appreciate what she’s trying to say, but let’s consider the folks working 2-3 jobs in retail, in warehouses, and in the service industry right now, just trying to make ends meet,” she wrote on her X thread.

“They’re not getting time with their families either. Some people have lost jobs and are living out of their cars as we speak, or they don’t know how they’re going to keep the lights on or put food on the table. Their kids won’t get anything for Christmas. I mean, we actually get FED on the job. I appreciate her hustle and that of my peers. But let’s have some perspective.”

Laine admitted that she doesn’t like missing holidays for work either. However, she tried to explain that this might be less compared to the bigger sacrifices “service men and women” make while deployed. She added that while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have only played on Thanksgiving once, she has worked holidays before “without (any) complaint.”

In another post, Laine clarified that she isn’t criticizing Andrews. But her opinion is more about bringing the spotlight on those who are making sacrifices, sometimes even bigger than journalists.

“And this warrants repeating…but I totally wasn’t trying to single Erin out in a bad way and I have a lot of respect for her,” she said. “It’s more just us all collectively recognizing that while our jobs can make things feel lonely (I know I’ve felt that way in all the years I’ve been stuck in airports on Christmas Day, or when I longed to have normal holidays as a kid myself), we can acknowledge the realities others are facing in this moment too.”

Andrews, who has spent years and long hours working in the sports media, wanted to share some advice for young people about how to deal with this demand and pressure. She explained that one must truly “love” their job to get through all these tough times when they feel lonely. Throughout her career, Andrews has made massive contributions in every role she’s taken on.

She began as a reporter for Fox Sports Florida and gradually moved on to bigger opportunities, including stints with ESPN. She has covered a wide range of sports, reporting on events like the MLB All-Star Game, the World Series, the NFL Playoffs, and more.

She has spent nearly 20 years in the league. Currently, she is a sideline reporter alongside Tom Rinaldi, Tom Brady, and Kevin Burkhardt. Moreover, there are parts of her job that make Andrews feel more connected to her family and her son, Mack.

Erin Andrews made a special gesture for an eight-year-old

Andrews makes good use of her platform to lift others. She used the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats campaign to raise funds for Bailey, an eight-year-old girl from Tennessee who is being treated there for Sickle Cell Disease.

“This year, #MyCauseMyCleats are in support of @stjude! My shoes were designed in collaboration with Bailey, an 8-year-old in Tennessee treated at St. Jude for Sickle Cell Disease,” Andrews shared on her Instagram, along with a link for donations.

“Please consider donating to this wonderful cause, where families never receive a bill, so they can focus on helping their child survive.”

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The shoes were special. Andrews opted for custom Nike Air Force 1s, covered in lavender and purple paint splashes. The Nike swoosh was decorated with pearls, and the design also includes the St. Jude logo and Bailey’s name. She knows how much strength families need during such tough times.

So, it was personal to her. Even though she’s not a player, the campaign allows broadcasters to join in, and Andrews has been part of it before.