CBS reporter Tracy Wolfson came under fire from viewers for hugging Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen before his interview about the win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night.
Wolfson spoke with the victorious quarterback at Highmark Field moments after his team clinched its spot in next Sunday's AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
But fans weren't impressed when Wolfson hugged Allen before starting to talk about the game.
'So Josh Allen hugged Tracy Wolfson 30 seconds before the postgame interview. Not a great look for CBS,” distinguished hockey writer Ken Campbell said on X while watching from home.
Another viewer said: 'Tracy Wolfson goes up to Josh Allen and gives him a hug?' What is that about? Aren't journalists supposed to be neutral?
A different fan posted: 'Does Tracy Wolfson running up and hugging Allen before the interview look bad? I think so.'
CBS reporter Tracy Wolfson hugged Josh Allen before the interview after the Bills beat the Ravens.
But Wolfson also had people defend her in X. Sports Illustrated writer Jimmy Traina defended her against criticism.
“There is no problem with this,” he said. 'Tracy Wolfson has been interviewing and spending time in meetings with Josh Allen for 7 or 8 eight years.
'The players and the announcers are friends. Her giving Allen a hug after the game has no impact on how she does her job as a sideline reporter.'
In response to her post, Traina added: 'People are crazy. If the Ravens had won, I would have hugged Lamar. He's spent hours and hours and hours with these people.
During his brief chat with Wolfson, Allen criticized his Bills team while turning his attention to facing the Chiefs.
'How about that Buffalo Bills defense? “All year, this team has heard that we don't have talent,” Allen told Wolfson.
'We are too small, we can't stop the race. We are not good enough to compete. We just put our heads down and worked hard.
“I'm very proud of our defense,” he continued. 'I'm very proud of our offense and special teams. What a complete victory.
Others defended Wolfson, saying he has to get to know players as part of his job.
“Obviously, on the offensive side of the ball, we'd like to score a little more so we don't have to go into the fourth quarter like that.” But they are a really good team, you have to give them credit too.”
The game against the Chiefs is next Sunday night at 6:30 pm ET.
Whoever wins will play either the Philadelphia Eagles or the Washington Commanders in the Super Bowl in New Orleans on February 9.