Lynn Jones names Obama and Tiger Woods interviews in response to “fake media” claim after she told Jaguars coach to “keep his head up” after loss [VIDEO]

Jacksonville reporter defends 25-year career after being criticized for uplifting Jaguars coach Liam Coen

A brief but heartfelt message from veteran reporter Lynn Jones-Turpin turned a standard NFL press conference into a national conversation about media respect, professionalism, and the legacy of the Black press. Following the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 27–24 playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills on January 11, Jones-Turpin, associate editor of the Jacksonville Free Press, used her microphone time to offer Jaguars head coach Liam Coen a few simple words of encouragement.

“I just want to tell you congratulations on your success, young man. You hold your head up, all right?” she said, referencing the team’s emotional season. Coen, visibly affected, replied with a soft, “Thank you, ma’am.”

That 23-second exchange might have gone unnoticed—if not for ESPN’s Adam Schefter praising the moment on X, calling it “an awesome post-game exchange.” Within hours, another journalist fired back with a sharply different view, setting the stage for a viral moment that would dominate timelines, sports blogs, and press freedom discourse for days.

From Warmth to Backlash — And The Journalist Behind It

The issue exploded when Mark Long, a Jacksonville-based reporter with the Associated Press, tweeted his disapproval: “Nothing ‘awesome’ about fans/fake media doing stuff like that. It should be embarrassing for the people who credentialed her and her organization.”

Suddenly, the story wasn’t about Liam Coen. It was about who gets to be called a journalist, and who gets to decide.

Lynn Jones-Turpin is no stranger to NFL coverage. A staple of the Jacksonville media scene, she’s been covering the Jaguars for more than 25 years. Her work at the Jacksonville Free Press, a weekly publication founded in 1986 and serving Florida’s Black community, has included interviews with Barack Obama, Tiger Woods, Terry Bradshaw, and others. Her affiliations with the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), which represents over 230 Black-owned papers, speak to a legacy far deeper than a viral clip.

But that legacy was questioned in real time by a fellow credentialed reporter, turning a kind moment into a national flashpoint.

“You Can Call Me Fake All You Want, Honey:” Her Instantly Classic News4JAX Clapback

Appearing on News4JAX two days later, Jones-Turpin addressed the controversy head-on in a three-minute interview that quickly became its own viral moment.

Wearing her signature short white hair, glasses, and patterned jacket, Jones-Turpin dismissed the attacks without flinching: “I’ve been in this business more than 25 years. I’ve interviewed from Barack Obama to Terry Bradshaw to Tiger Woods. So he can say whatever he wants about fake news.”

She went further, listing historical Black press institutions by name—the Philadelphia Tribune (since 1884), the Michigan Chronicle (since 1935), The Florida Star (since 1955)—while championing the NNPA’s 100-year presence in American journalism.

“Support the Black press,” she said firmly. “He can call me fake all he wants to, honey. I’ve been doing this a long time. People know me.”

The studio anchors smiled as Jones-Turpin delivered her final words with warmth: “It’s gonna be alright. Keep your head up, young men, all you young men keep your head up.” The message—simple, grounded, powerful—was not just for Coen anymore.

Social Media Splits on Whether It Was Inspiring or Inappropriate

As clips of both the press conference and the follow-up interview spread, reactions across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook poured in. The discourse fractured almost immediately, with two major camps forming.

Supporters praised Jones-Turpin as a beacon of authenticity in a field often accused of robotic questions and out-of-touch gatekeeping. Posts like “GOOGLE ME, PLEASE” (echoing the tone of her defense) and “We all stan behind her” flooded comment sections. One user summed it up bluntly: “Her credentials? Solid. Her delivery? Legendary.”

Others criticized the blurring of journalist-subject boundaries. “This isn’t what press conferences are for,” one user wrote. “That’s not reporting — that’s cheerleading.”

Some brought up questions of race and gender, noting how expressions of kindness or informality by Black women in media are disproportionately policed. “Seems like kindness bothers people,” one user posted. Others, however, accused her of “invoking race” as a defense mechanism, saying the criticism had nothing to do with identity and everything to do with journalistic ethics.

Still, the numbers told a clear story. Jones-Turpin’s full response clip, posted to X, racked up over 642,000 views and 14,000 likes within 24 hours.

A Deeper History of Black Press Credentials — And Why it Matters

What made Jones-Turpin’s defense so resonant wasn’t just her résumé — it was the history she invoked. The Black press has long existed parallel to mainstream media, often denied access to the same spaces while reporting with equal rigor and deeper cultural context.

Organizations like the NNPA emerged in the early 1900s to support independent Black publishers. Today, more than 230 Black newspapers are still operating, many of which—like the Jacksonville Free Press—serve regions underrepresented by national outlets. Their reporters have historically covered everything from civil rights marches to local school board meetings to NFL locker rooms.

By calling Jones-Turpin “fake media,” critics may have inadvertently discredited a lineage of journalism that predates most corporate networks. That’s why her defenders reacted so strongly. This wasn’t just about one moment in a press room — it was about legacy.

Even Coen’s Reaction Fueled the Support: “Thank You, Ma’am.”

What often gets lost in the outrage is Liam Coen’s own response. The Jaguars coach didn’t look irritated or dismissive. He looked touched.

As Jones-Turpin spoke, his body language remained open, his face visibly emotional. His reply was calm, appreciative, and respectful: “Thank you, ma’am.”

He didn’t push back. He didn’t signal discomfort. That quiet affirmation reinforced what many supporters have argued: that not all reporting has to be antagonistic to be legitimate. Sometimes, especially in sports, a little humanity goes a long way.

And for those saying it crossed a line? Even veteran journalists chimed in to note that most pressers are filled with repetitive, bland, or even irrelevant questions. “If 90% of the room’s just burning time asking fluff, why not spend 20 seconds offering someone grace?” one user posted.

“People Know Me:” A Clapback Rooted in Pride, Not Apology

Lynn Jones-Turpin never apologized — and that’s exactly why this moment stuck.

She didn’t cave, deflect, or rephrase. She cited her history, listed her interviews, reminded critics of her affiliations, and kept it moving. She didn’t raise her voice. She didn’t drag anyone by name. She just let her credentials speak.

“People know me,” she said — not as a plea, but as a fact. And whether or not you agree with her tone or timing, you can’t deny her place at the table.

In an era where journalism is constantly questioned, it’s ironic that the most debated moment of the week came not from misinformation or scandal — but from a woman choosing to uplift someone who looked like he needed it.

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