Charissa Thompson On Fame, Swift-Kelce Friendship, & Why The Biggest Super Bowl Moments Are Unexpected

Charissa Thompson is heading into Super Bowl week with a rare mix of insider access and grounded perspective. 

In a wide-ranging exclusive conversation with The Blast, the veteran broadcaster opens up about her on-screen chemistry with Rob Gronkowski, the controlled chaos of game-day fun, and why Bounty has become an unlikely MVP of Super Bowl Sunday. From hosting alongside larger-than-life personalities to navigating live television with food, friends, and fandom in the mix, Thompson embraces the mess — as long as it’s cleaned up before the cameras roll.

Beyond the game, Thompson reflects on the responsibility that comes with proximity to fame, including her friendship with Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. She also shared info about her podcast with fellow sportscaster Erin Andrews. 

With the big day quickly approaching, many football fans are currently planning fun watch parties. When asked what must-haves Thompson needs for a watch party, she shared that she recently partnered with Bounty, alongside Gronkowski, and at the perfect time!

“Bounty didn’t know this. If they did, they knew something I didn’t,” Thompson said about the timing of the partnership.

“The Seahawks and the Patriots are playing in the Super Bowl. This is very serendipitous, given the fact that Rob Gronkowski, of course, played for the Patriots and won three Super Bowls with them, and I am from Seattle. So very excited to be teamed up with Bounty. I get to spend Sundays with Gronk, have called him a friend and a colleague for the last couple of years. And Gronk is synonymous with a good time and with a good time comes sometimes a big mess.” 

This is where Bounty comes into play.

Thompson said it’s always there when a cleanup needs to happen, and since Gronk likes to get the party started and she keeps it going, Bounty is there to help clean up the messes along the way.

“We’re together all day on Sunday and we’re eating food in between games, but we have to remember that we have to go back on national television. So whatever messes we make, Bounty just easily cleans it up and sends us on our way,” she added. “So we love being each other’s wingman and wingwoman.”

Speaking about the upcoming big game everyone’s patiently waiting for, Thompson said “we definitely are not short in storylines between these two teams and with one another.” She also said it’s pretty clear who she’s rooting for, but there’s some fine print there.

“Everyone knows I’m from Seattle, so of course my family’s all still there - my brothers, my sisters, my nieces, my nephews. Of course, I want Seattle to win because it’s my hometown,” she told The Blast. “That said, I also at this point in my professional career root for players and love the different storylines on both sides, and not only just for the players but for the coaches. So I could easily argue why I’d love to see the Patriots win but also then see the Seahawks win. So like I said, you can argue both sides. It’s going to be a great game either way.” 

When asked about any predictions on a career defining moment for anyone during the Super Bowl, Thompson explained that the cool thing about the game is that it could be anyone.

“It could be a big name, it could be someone that you know isn't the biggest headliner, but that's what makes it so fun that in those games on the biggest stage, it could be anybody and that's also so exciting for them,” she said. “I mean if it was always just the star who was making the play, it'd be more predictable.”

Last summer, NFL star Travis Kelce posted a carousel of photos on Instagram captioned, "Had some adventures this offseason, kept it (100 emoji)." Thompson was in one of the photos. She didn't publicly talk about the vacation until she saw that Kelce posted a photo.

"As I always maintain with them, I mean, it was only a secret because it's their private lives that Erin [Andrews] and I are so protective of. They get very few moments that they get to just have out of the spotlight," Thompson told The Blast.

"So it was not our story to tell. We never actually were going to even talk about it. Travis had posted a carousel of pictures with his off-season activities, and we were in it. So, then that's what brought up the conversation. But we were never going to say anything because, again, we just are protective of their privacy."

Thompson shared that she's covered Kelce in the NFL for years and he's "just a cool guy" who "always gives you so much time."

"So, when he declared on his podcast that he wanted to meet Taylor, we also told and advocated for what a great guy he would be to go on a date with. And obviously, you know, we all know the story," she continued. "They get together and now they're going to get married, and I couldn't be happier for them. I can't wait for them to continue on their journey of life together. It's fun to be a fly on the wall for two people that really, really care about each other."

Thompson shared that she met fellow sportscaster Erin Andrews early in her career. The two quickly became friends and about five years ago, started a podcast together.

"Much of our friendship has been rooted in the fact that, she does her job on the sideline, I host shows, but we are sports broadcasters. And very early on in my journey, Erin and I would cross paths. We were more of acquaintances in the sense that it was a 'hi' at an event and 'bye' at an event," she shared.

"But when I signed with ESPN and went to work there the first day on campus, she was the first person I saw. She came up and gave me a big hug, and said, 'If you need anything, I'm here for you.' And it really was that moment that was the catalyst for the rest of our friendship."