At Sunday afternoon’s postgame press conference following a tough loss to the Bills, Jaguars head coach Liam Coen stood at the podium ready to be peppered with questions he most likely didn’t want to address.
But instead of suffering through the same old game related questions, Coen was serenaded with something coaches seldom receive after a loss.
Kindness, courtesy of Jacksonville Free Press reporter, Lynn Jones-Turpin.
This reporter's message to Liam Coen following the Jags' Wild Card loss 🥹 pic.twitter.com/wq4yhG317y
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 11, 2026
“I just want to tell you, congratulations on your success, young man. You hold your head up, alright? You guys have had a most magnificent season,” said Jones-Turpin to a stunned yet pleased Coen. “You did a great job out there today. You just hold your head up, okay? Ladies and gentlemen, Duval, you the one. Keep it going, we got another season, okay? Take care, and much continued success to you and the entire team.”
Coen’s surprise and slowly developing smile showed how much he appreciated the words of encouragement voiced by the veteran reporter.
Yet instead of the moment being appreciated for what it was- kindness and support- it turned into a debate over journalistic ethics.
Before we address the controversy, let’s see who Lynn Jones-Turpin is.
She is the associate editor of the Jacksonville Free Press, a Black newspaper that’s been around since 1986. She’s a member of the NNPA (National Newspaper Publisher Association)/Black Press of America and has been in the media business for over 25 years. That means she’s credentialed, experienced and knows her craft.
Despite that, some called her unprofessional, fake media and questioned her journalistic integrity.
“Awesome? Are you serious. That’s not a reporter,” posted Mike Harrington, a baseball columnist for the Buffalo News. “”That person shouldn’t even have a credential.”
First off, Lynn Jones-Turpin doesn’t owe critics like Harrington anything. But since they’re whining, let’s talk.
She didn’t ask for a photograph or season tickets.
She didn’t ask Coen or the Jaguars to write her a check for her heartfelt verbal support.
And she definitely wasn’t looking to lure Coen into giving her an embarrassing soundbite that many love to elicit from coaches so they can have viral content.
