“You guys make around $100,000.” It was a statement met with immediate laughter. Around four years ago, a caller spoke those very words to a co-worker of mine, Katie Stukey, in the KRTV newsroom. The man on the phone was disappointed with coverage and believed his opinion should be correct because Katie and I each made “around $100,000” per year. Katie and I responded to the remark with laughter because we did not, I assure you, make $100,000. Combined. I’m not positive the two of our salaries totaled half of that amount. But people have assumptions when it comes to the reporters they watch on TV every night. Being a reporter is an incredible occupation. No two days are the same. Throughout the week you meet dozens of new people and have the honor of telling their unique stories. Sports reporters gain free access to games, press conferences and practices. Some of the best seats in the house are available on a nightly basis. You meet “celebrities” that others can only dream of. Working as a reporter is an unbelievable career. But it doesn’t always provide the glamour that many are led to believe. I have to share a story from earlier in the week that I’m not quite ready to laugh at. You know, the kind of story that while it’s happening you are upset and angry but know down the road you will look back and chuckle. It’s one of those. The kind that happens in a reporter’s life more often than one may think. Monday night I had the privilege of going to Glendale, AZ to University of Phoenix Stadium. The Arizona Cardinals were hosting the San Diego Chargers on Monday Night Football in the finale of week one. I had felt ill for about three days, but figured I could keep it at bay for the chance to cover an NFL game. Unfortunately, that was mistake number one. During the game I received one of the more intense headaches I can recall suffering. Pair that with my body not being able to determine if it were hot or cold and the aching pains in my back and neck and I was far from enjoying the experience. Obviously suffering under these symptoms was the fault of no one but myself. But the story did not end there. Fast-forward to an incredible finish that saw Arizona win the game and it was time to make the approximately two-hour drive back to Tucson. My co-worker, Scott, and I left University of Phoenix Stadium and headed for the parking lot. A heavy rain immediately greeted us outdoors. As we ran to our news station vehicle and unlocked the doors we were met by the sound of the car alarm emitting from under the hood. A quick press of the alarm button on the car’s key fob would typically solve the problem, but ours was clearly not working. The car would also not start, making no attempt to turn over when the key was in the ignition. It was clear the vehicle would not start while the alarm was engaged, but we had no way of fixing the issue. Hours passed as we stood in the pouring rain (intensifying my illness) trying to jump-start the vehicle, disengage the alarm and even attempt to put brand new batteries in the car’s key fob. It was clear nothing was going to work and someone would need to make the drive from Tucson to pick us up and return back home. Nearly five hours passed with Scott and I standing in the rain, listening to the alarm and trying to get our vehicle running. Around 4am a co-worker appeared and we were on our soaking-wet way to Tucson and our own beds. The sun rose before I walked in my front door. Again, somewhere down the road this will be a moment I look back and laugh at. But with the frustrations recent in my mind, laughing is far from my to-do list. This is only one personal memory of how the life of a reporter can turn unglamorous. Many journalists have their own stories of long hours, technological mishaps or miscommunications. Some are much more serious with reports of stalkers, death-threats, and even restraining orders. Please do not mistake the intent of this blog post as seeking pity or even respect. I ask that you give that respect to those in the military, medical and law enforcement fields. Workers in those occupations have unglamorous moments much more often than I. The reason for this post is to express that even a career that portrays an image of fame, money and glamour can consist of the exact opposite. Meanwhile, I will continue to enjoy being a reporter. I will appreciate the access to sporting events and the athletes that participate in them. I will remain thankful to be part of an occupation that allows me to do what I am passionate about. At least until the TV station car with the alarm going off in the pouring rain, will no longer start. Maybe I’m getting closer to the “look back and laugh” stage after all.
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AuthorRichie is a small-town boy chasing big-city dreams. When he's not involved with sports, he's spending time with his wife, Fallon; their yorkie, Tinker; and their Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rosie. Archives
April 2016
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