Charissa Thompson DEFENDED by Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford's wife Kelly, after Prime presenter apologized for admitting she made up quotes from NFL coaches

Matthew Stafford's wife Kelly has led the defense of Charissa Thompson, the Amazon Prime broadcaster who sparked outrage this week by admitting she once made up quotes as a touchline reporter in the NFL.

The host for 'Fox NFL Kickoff' and Amazon's 'Thursday Night Football' made the staggering revelation this week while appearing on Barstool Sports' 'Pardon My Take' podcast.

Thompson sparked widespread controversy by explaining: 'I've said this before, so I haven't been fired for saying it, but I'll say it again - I would make up the report sometimes because A, the coach wouldn't come out at halftime or it was too late and I was like, I didn't want to screw up the report, so I was like, 'I'm just gonna make this up.'

'Because, first of all, no coach is gonna get mad if I say, 'Hey, we need to stop hurting ourselves, we need to be better on third down, we need to stop turning the ball over... and do a better job of getting off the field.' Like, they're not gonna correct me on that.'

But on Friday, Kelly Stafford took to Instagram to hit back at the criticism the presenter was getting.

'Thought of the day,' Stafford posted on her Instagram on Friday. 'A man makes a mistake or has his words taken out of context, his male colleagues/friends band together and support one another. A woman does the same thing, their female colleagues/fake friends do the opposite.

'Feels like some 'feminists' seem to only choose to be feminists when it supports their agenda.'

Stafford was referring to a number of Thompson's colleagues who took to X after her quotes surfaced to say how disappointed they were. 

Stafford and Thompson are friends - Stafford introduced her to her boyfriend Steven Cundari.

Thompson addressed the outrage she caused in an apology on Friday, saying in a statement: ''Ok, let's address the elephant in the room. I have a responsibility to myself and my employers to clarify what is being reported.

'When on a podcast this week, I said I would make up reports early in my career when I worked as a sideline reporter before I transitioned to my current host role.

'Working in media I understand how important words are and I chose the wrong words to describe the situation. I'm sorry.

'I have never lied about anything or been unethical during my time as a sports broadcaster.'

She continued: 'In the absence of a coach providing any information that could further my report I would use information that I learned and saw during the first half to create my report.

'For example if a team was 0 for 7 on 3rd down, that would clearly be an area they need to improve on in the second half. In these instances I never attributed anything I said to a player or coach.

'I have nothing but respect for sideline reporters and for the tireless work they put in behind the scenes and on the field. I am only appreciative and humbled to work alongside some of the best in the business and call them some of my best friends.'