© Michael Longo / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
ESPN’s Pat McAfee has weighed in on the journalist controversy in Jacksonville.
On Sunday, veteran NFL reporter Lynn Jones of Jacksonville Free Press offered words of encouragement to rookie Jags head coach Liam Coen during the team’s postgame press conference following their loss to the Bills.
‘You hold your head up, all right? You guys have had a most magnificent season. And you did a great job out there today.’
‘So you just hold your head up, okay? Ladies and gentlemen, Duval, you the one, all right? Keep it going. We got another season, OK? Take care of much continued success to you and the entire team.’
This reporter’s message to Liam Coen following the Jags’ Wild Card loss 🥹 pic.twitter.com/wq4yhG317y
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 11, 2026
Some media members criticized Jones for her comments during the press conference.
“Nothing awesome about fans/fake media doing stuff like that. It should be embarrassing for the people who credentialed her and her organization, and it’s a waste of time for those of us actually working,” commented AP’s Mark Long.
McAfee saw the backlash directed at Jones from other journalists and defended her on social media.
“Love seeing these sports “journalists” getting ABSOLUTELY BURIED for being curmudgeon bums..”
“OBVIOUSLY NOT ALL OF THEM but a LARGE % of these things hate sports.. they hate what sports are for people (happiness).. They hate what sports are for society (unifier).. they’re political journalists by nature who’ve preyed on sports because they saw it as an easier path to “make it”
“Sports are the greatest thing on Earth, these motherf–kers have no idea… and will never get it,” he added. “Also.. Thank you Lynn Jones for setting up a situation for me and all of us on how Liam Coen, a man who might be a [GOAT emoji] when he’s done, handles compliments during one of his most miserable moments. He handled it with class and humility.. feels like some journalism was actually done there.”
This was such a cool moment between Lynn Jones and Liam Coen..
A little positivity can go a long way #PMSLive
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 12, 2026
Jones has not yet reacted to all the social media controversy regarding her comments during the press conference.