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LSU beat writer clears air after criticism of ‘unprofessional’ comments toward Brian Kelly
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Leah Vann, a LSU beat writer for The Advocate in Baton Rouge, found herself in the middle of some controversy after a comment she made in jest toward head coach Brian Kelly.
As you can see and hear below, Kelly on Tuesday joked about the “late-arriving media crowd” that was in place for his press conference previewing Saturday’s home opener against Southern, saying that they owed him $10 as a result. Vann responded, “Maybe if you win, I’ll be on time.”
BREAKING!! Reporter tells Brian Kelley “maybe if he win I’ll be on time” ??? pic.twitter.com/y0FzpZxTrp
— Nolehighlights (@Jaythealbum) September 6, 2022
After being called out as “unprofessional” by a Twitter user, Vann provided her side of the story, saying she later apologized:
Press conference was at noon, I was running from a doctor’s appointment. Got there at 11:57. Brian Kelly called me out, said jokingly I owed him $10, I said if he won maybe I’d be on time. Not my finest hour. I apologized afterward, he was super chill and said I still owe him $10 https://t.co/6zsp6k9PuL
— Leah Vann (@LVann_Sports) September 6, 2022
All in all, Kelly took it in stride, but one could only imagine if a media member tried something like this with Nick Saban. Then again, Saban’s lost just 25 times since 2007.
The good news? After falling to Florida State in a game that featured 2 muffed punts and a blocked game-tying PAT with no time left, Kelly might not need to wait long to get his first win as the head coach of the Tigers. They’ll be heavy favorites against the FCS Jaguars under the lights at Death Valley on Saturday.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
