A former NFL sideline reporter is trashing Jimmy Kimmel following his return to the airwaves on Tuesday night.
Kimmel, who has hosted ABC’s late-night talk show since 2003, returned to the airwaves on Tuesday night. He had been taken off of the air on Wednesday, September 17, and remained off of it for about a week. ABC removed Kimmel’s show following his comments on Charlie Kirk’s death and President Trump. The removal came after the head of the FCC threatened action, while two companies that own and operate ABC affiliate stations decided to pull the show.
Tuesday night, September 23, Kimmel returned. He made history on YouTube, with his most-watched monologue ever.
Jimmy Kimmel delivers the opening monologue during the 96th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles on March 10, 2024.
Kimmel, 57, made it clear that he never intended to make fun of Charlie Kirk’s death or the people close to him.
“It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man. I don’t think there’s anything funny about it,” Kimmel said in his emotional 18-minute monologue, choking up. “Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions of what was obviously a deeply disturbed individual.
“I don’t think the murderer who shot Charlie Kirk represents anyone,” Kimmel continued. “This was a sick person who believed violence was a solution, and it isn’t — ever.”
Kimmel ultimately thanked several people for defending his right to free speech, including longtime U.S. Senator Ted Cruz.
“I don’t think I’ve ever said this before, but Ted Cruz is right,” Kimmel said. “He’s absolutely right.
“This show is not important,” Kimmel added. “What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.”
Former NFL sideline reporter not happy
Former NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya wasn’t buying Kimmel’s tears, though. She trashed the ABC late-night talk show host on X, formerly known as Twitter. Tafoyfa, who worked as NBC’s sideline reporter for Sunday Night Football for 11 seasons, sounded off on social media.
“I roll my eyes when I watch replays of @jimmykimmel crying during his monologue last night. He does this too often. He is not the victim. Perspective, please,” she wrote on X.
Kimmel, meanwhile, doesn’t seem to mind the criticism.
“I’ve been hearing a lot about what I need to say and do tonight, and the truth is, I don’t think what I have to say is gonna make much of a difference. If you like me, you like me, and if you don’t, you don’t,” he said on ABC.
“I have no illusions about changing anyone’s mind. But I do wanna make something clear because it’s important to me as a human, and that is: You understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man. I don’t think there’s anything funny about it. I posted a message on Instagram on the day he was killed, sending love to his family and asking for compassion, and I meant it, and I still do. Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions of what was obviously a deeply disturbed individual.”
Tafoyfa, clearly, continues to be a critic of the ABC late-night host.
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Sep 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the Sports Media section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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