Former NFL reporter Michele Tafoya recently addressed critics after they took aim at her for reposting an older tweet. This tweet featured a heartfelt note she received from a flight attendant back in 2023.
When she shared it again this week, many in the sports media and users on X pointed out that it wasn’t a new post, prompting some backlash against her. Tafoya had left her position as a long-time sideline reporter for NBC in 2022 to dive into politics, and this context seemed to amplify the reactions.
On Wednesday, Tafoya clarified her intention, saying, “I’m forever grateful to the flight attendants who handed me this memo in 2023. It still means a lot, actually. So, for those who think it’s odd to share meaningful moments again, here it is.”
The quick response on social media wasn’t kind; some users mistook the notes for something fresh. Sports reporter Sara Spain chimed in, sharing her experience of receiving similar notes and addressing Tafoya directly, saying, “Michele, several times this exact flight attendant handed me this exact same note.” Tweets from others like Trey Wingo and Mike Wise also criticized her for what they saw as disingenuity.
Tafoya explained that she had rediscovered the note while cleaning through her photos, emphasizing its significance to her: “It still means a lot to me. I’m grateful to the person who wrote it. But, you know, feel free to see it however you like.”
In response to another user questioning the trend of reposting, she aptly noted, “Apparently some people just take issue with that.” Since stepping away from NBC Sports following the Super Bowl in 2022, Tafoya has expressed a desire to explore other opportunities influenced by her political convictions.
Reflecting on her decision, she mentioned, “I’ve reached a point in my life where I want to pursue things that matter to me,” adding that while sports is significant, being unable to voice her opinions on pressing issues felt limiting. “It’s not that I was silenced, but when you’re on a major show like Sunday Night Football, you really don’t want to stir up controversy.”
