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Fans Slam Sideline Reporter Melissa Stark Over Awkward and ‘Unprofessional’ Postgame Interview Question

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This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Melissa Stark conducting an interview
Melissa Stark (Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)

The Pittsburgh Steelers are moving on to the NFL playoffs, and Aaron Rodgers has at least one more game to play in his career.

After taking down the Baltimore Ravens in a tightly contested affair on Sunday night, the Steelers are headed to the AFC playoffs. It was Rodgers who led the way for Pittsburgh. The four-time NFL MVP finished with 31-of-47 completed passes for 294 yards.

He also had a clutch touchdown and zero interceptions. Rdgers might be in his 40s, but he used his legs to get 20 rushing yards on one carry. This was a huge win for a team that will now welcome DK Metcalf back to the team. He was suspended for two games over his conduct towards a Lions fan.

Melissa Stark catches Backlash Over Her Questions To Aaron Rodgers

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in uniform and smiling
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)

Of course, despite the Steelers’ win and their upcoming game next weekend, the question about his future still arose. NBC sideline reporter Melissa Stark was the one who presented it to him.

Stark asked Aaron Rodgers about what he was feeling as the team clinched the division. She would then ask an immediate follow-up about his future.

“It’s pretty emotional, honestly,” Rodgers said. “It’s been a great year. I’m thankful for these guys, and I’m excited to be going to the playoffs for the first time in a long while.”

Stark pounced on him as he appeared to be emotional. “Does that mean that you’re riding off into the sunset after this?” she asked. Will he retire?

“No, I’m just, it’s been a grinding year,” Rodgers said.

“And the two years before that were tough as well. So it’s been an absolute blessing to be here with these fans and this organization and Mike [Tomlin] and the leadership that we’ve got with these guys.

“I think we found that little bit of something special, which is belief, tonight on the offensive side. And I’m proud of our guys with the way we responded in the fourth quarter.”

“NBC’s Melissa Stark asking Aaron Rodgers about retirement was really unprofessional, in my opinion,” one X user said. Steelers just won a thriller against their arch rival. Read the room… Also, responding to Rodgers’ answer with “had to ask it” made it worse. This is another reason why fans, and many players/coaches, don’t care for these interviews much anymore…”

The Steelers will now play the No. 5 Texans in the wild-card round on Jan. 12. Mike Tomlin and the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since Jan. 15, 2017. They have the second-worst odds to win the Super Bowl.

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