NFL REPORTERS ERIN ANDREWS & CHARISSA THOMPSON: 'WE'VE GOT EACH OTHER'S BACKS'

THE TV SPORTS DUO SHARE HOW THEY FOUND SUCCESS IN A 'COMPETITIVE AND CUTTHROAT' INDUSTRY PLUS: CELEB SUPERFANS AND AN NFL MOM WHOSE SONS WILL FACE OFF ON THE FIELD

- LANAE BRODY and JOHNNY DODD

Erin Andrews, 44, and Charissa Thompson, 40, know a few things about the NFL. As the lead sideline reporter for Fox Sports and the host of Fox's Sunday pregame show NFL Kickoff respectively, the friends have earned recognition in a male-dominated industry-but they still make time to connect off the field, specifically on Calm Down With Erin and Charissa, the podcast they launched in 2021. Ahead of the big game on Feb. 12, they sat down with People.

So, Super Bowl! How are you feeling?

CHARISSA THOMPSON The Super Bowl's a big one, that's the Mecca. I love watching Erin do her thing in front of 50, 60, 100 million people and then giving her a big hug, knowing this is the moment that [made us] want to do this job ever since we were little kids.

ERIN ANDREWS [In the 2019 Super Bowl] in Miami we did that. Somebody said something nasty right before I was about to go on-camera, and she walked up, and I was like, "I'm having a meltdown." She said, "Okay, I'll leave you alone." I did my bit, and I looked at her and said, "I freaking just nailed that." And then we have this picture of us hugging on the field.

How did you first become friends?

THOMPSON I lied to get into the building [at ESPN]. I always wanted to work there. I was so nervous; this is my dream job. And I walk onto campus, and this one flies in the door...

ANDREWS I had been there a few years.