WTOC sports director Lyndsey Gough has stirred one helluva controversy over a live hit she was attempting to do on Saturday during a college football matchup between Georgia and Clemson.
The Savannah-based CBS affiliate reporter complained that she was “all kinds of violated” while setting up the live shot as exuberant fans walked by — who may or may not have been inebriated — mugged for the camera and otherwise accosted her.
At one point, Gough can be heard telling a man not to touch her — his hand appeared to be on her shoulder or upper back — but for the most part, the very annoyed reporter looked on passively as fans hammed it up.
She explained in a tweet that included footage of the incident that she started rolling “after the first guy touched me.”
“Got all kinds of violated during my first live hit by fans,” Gough tweeted:
After the first guy touched me I started rolling… this isn’t even all of it. So uncomfortable. Can we please respect people’s space pic.twitter.com/1r0VQVoBoq
— Lyndsey Gough (@LGonTV) September 5, 2021
CBS Sports HQ’s Jeremy St. Louis agreed that the fan behavior was “awful,” but then shared some tips “any veteran sports reporter will tell you,” the last of which stated, “ALWAYS expect worst from fans.”
Awful!!
But, as any veteran sports reporter will tell you:
1. Coordinate w/stadium security/team pre-event, including having 1-2 w/you during hit.
2. Coordinate w/venue for safe spot on concourse for LIVE hit – including roping off if needed.
3. ALWAYS expect worst from fans
— Jeremy St.Louis 🇨🇦 (@jrstlouis) September 5, 2021
Which brings us to Matt Walsh, the conservative pundit the left loves to hate. It’s not that Walsh didn’t appear to recognize the totally obnoxious behavior, but he had little patience for Gough acting like a “violated” victim.
“Literally every reporter who has ever filmed at a sports stadium after a big win with drunk people walking out has had this experience,” he tweeted, the big win being the 5th ranked home team Bulldogs beat the 3rd ranked Tigers 10-3.
Literally every reporter who has ever filmed at a sports stadium after a big win with drunk people walking out has had this experience https://t.co/19GlVNs8fQ
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) September 7, 2021
Gough must not have cared much for the take, as it appears that she blocked Walsh — he linked to her video above, only to get the message: “This Tweet is unavailable.”
A second tweet from Walsh equated to throwing kerosene on a raging fire.
“I don’t want to say that this is why men make better sports reporters so I won’t say it and instead I’ll just leave this here,” he tweeted, adding a video of a male reporter who didn’t miss a beat during a live shot amid a sea of overly excited fans.
Walsh prompted a lot of interesting takes on the issue, from both sides — to include the prerequisite “sexist” label.
Here’s a sampling of some of those responses from Twitter:
Sexist.
— Nicola Sabbe (@nicola_sabbe) September 7, 2021
Touching someone intentionally without their consent is never okay, no matter where it is or what you call it. Maybe focus a little less on what it’s called and more on the behaviour and the person behind it.
— Tamara (@TamIWas) September 7, 2021
It’s the exit of a packed stadium.
Everyone’s personal space is violated by default.
— Amanda Howard (@amandakaykay) September 7, 2021
True, but I’ve also seen a lot of ladies doing it right. they’re happy and the fans are happy and everyone is happy. this girl just didn’t appreciate the job like she was force-fed something she hated and I mean really hated.
— LMPS5 (@LMPS5Gaming) September 7, 2021
Professionalism matters. She chose to be a sports reporter, sports fans are part of the job and the story. There are talented, professional, female reporters. She is not one. She can pout and demand everyone play nice all she wants, meanwhile someone else got the story.
— A Christian Conservative (@judy_aol) September 7, 2021
it’s absolutely wild seeing yall use mike to make a sexist point without knowing that he’s the only person who purposely puts himself in this environment and he has this kind of relationship w/ the frat boy kids at USC. lyndsey doesnt and they shouldnt be in her space
— mac. (@nmacheaux) September 7, 2021
As a female, I would say the issue isn’t gender. One reporter just doesn’t “get”reporting sports. The other does. If she set up near the field after a game = no people (they have to clear the seats). In the walkways = rowdy, pumped up fans. She’s inexperienced or an idiot
— Dawgs&Stripes (@Smoores54) September 7, 2021
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