Overview
- Lynn Jones of the Jacksonville Free Press congratulated Jaguars coach Liam Coen instead of asking a question following Jacksonville’s 27–24 Wild Card loss to the Bills.
- The brief exchange went viral as the Jaguars reposted the clip, drawing national attention and divided reactions from media and fans.
- Critics including AP reporters and ESPN’s Brooke Pryor called the moment unprofessional, citing limited press-conference time for substantive questions.
- Defenders such as Pat McAfee and Bernice King praised the compassion, and local journalists highlighted Jones’s role in the Black press and community coverage.
- Jones publicly rejected “fake media” claims, noting more than 25 years in journalism and NNPA membership, as the episode broadened discussion over who press rooms serve; no formal sanctions have been reported.