Sean Payton Faces Online Scrutiny After Sideline Kiss of Reporter

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton has drawn the ire of NFL fans following an unconventional interaction with reporter Charissa Thompson during a pregame interview. The moment occurred on Thursday Night Football prior to the Broncos' Week 6 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.

Thompson was conducting a one-on-one interview with Payton, discussing the team's offensive strategy and quarterback Bo Nix. As the interview concluded, Payton, 62, was captured on camera pulling Thompson towards him by her shoulder and kissing her on the cheek before departing.

The incident quickly became a topic of discussion on social media platforms, with many users expressing discomfort with the interaction. "That Sean Payton/Charissa Thompson kiss looked weird, but they were colleagues at one point. Still, it seems weird," one user commented on X (formerly Twitter). Another user remarked, "Sean Payton kissing Charissa Thompson definitely wasn't supposed to be caught on camera. Super weird."

Some observers noted that the interaction might stem from a prior professional relationship between Payton and Thompson. Both worked together on FOX's NFL coverage in 2022, following Payton's departure from the New Orleans Saints.

Payton returned to coaching in 2023 with the Denver Broncos, where he is currently in his fourth season. Despite their past professional association, the sideline kiss continued to be a subject of social media commentary and fan criticism.