Taylor Rooks isn’t sweating the online noise anymore. The features reporter for Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football and host of NBA on Prime has found her peace when it comes to social media comments, thanks to some killer advice from an NBA legend. When you’re constantly in the spotlight during both NFL and NBA seasons, navigating that kind of public scrutiny with zen is pure gold, right?
Barkley’s Brutally Honest Lesson
Rooks admitted that when she first started in this crazy business, she *did* care about the criticism and what folks said online. But now? Nah, she says it’s “fairly insignificant.” What happens online “has truly no effect on me,” and that’s a perspective changer! She’s even snagged two Emmy nominations in her career, so she’s clearly doing something right. So, what was this game-changing wisdom? NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley dropped some serious truth on her. He told her, point blank: “You can go on TV, and you can be someone you’re not and half the people won’t like you. Or you can go on TV and be who you are, and half the people won’t like you. But the numbers are the same.” It’s that simple! Barkley’s advice stuck: “I feel a lot more peace going on TV being who I am, living my life as who I am. Leading with professionalism and credibility and knowing that the job is the main thing. That’s really all you can do.” Preach, Chuck, preach.
What’s Next for NBA on Prime
Rooks is absolutely owning her role, now in her second season as host of NBA on Prime. She’s surrounded by a seriously stacked roster of studio analysts, including Blake Griffin, Dirk Nowitzki, Udonis Haslem, Steve Nash, Dwyane Wade, Candace Parker, John Wall, Rudy Gay, Kyle Lowry, and Zach Lowe. Talk about a dream team! If you want to catch her and the crew in action, mark your calendars. NBA on Prime’s next broadcast is coming up fast on Friday, Oct. 30. They’re diving deep into an awesome doubleheader: the New York Knicks taking on the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Los Angeles Lakers battling the Golden State Warriors.
It’s clear Rooks has taken Barkley’s legendary words to heart, focusing on being authentic and letting her professionalism shine. That’s a lesson for anyone in the public eye, or really, anyone just trying to live their life. Don’t miss her and the rest of the NBA on Prime team breaking down all the action this Friday!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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