Reporter says ESPN cameraman shoved her after LSU’s road upset of No. 4 Clemson

Chessa Bouche, a reporter for Louisiana First News, said an ESPN cameraman shoved her after LSU’s 17-10 road upset of No. 4 Clemson on Saturday night, posting about the incident on X and calling for greater respect toward reporters working alone.

Bouche wrote that the cameraman “shoved me after the game bc I was in your way. All you had to do was say something, not physically put your hands on a female who is half your size,” and added, “There’s a thing called mutual respect in this industry & I’m solo doing the work of multiple people while y’all have crews for every game. Maybe next time just say hey move. Do better man!”

In responses to other X users, Bouche said the alleged shove did not occur in a typical postgame scrum but “simply [as] Brian Kelly walking off the field,” indicating the contact happened during the coach’s exit rather than amid a cluster of reporters and cameras. She also posted a photo of herself from the scene alongside her messages.

There was no immediate public comment from ESPN regarding Bouche’s post. The identity of the cameraman she referred to was not specified in her posts, and Bouche did not name an individual in her public messages. Media members covering high-profile games typically work in crowded conditions, and postgame movement often involves tight spaces as coaches and players leave the field.

The interaction followed LSU’s season-opening road victory, a 17-10 result that handed the Tigers a top-10 road win against the higher-ranked Tigers from Clemson. The game drew extensive broadcast and media coverage, which typically involves multiple camera crews and reporters from national and local outlets.

Bouche’s post sparked discussion on social media about media conduct and safety in postgame settings. Some users argued that postgame scrums create unavoidable congestion and that reporters and camera operators must navigate those conditions to do their jobs. Others supported Bouche’s contention that physical contact is unacceptable and urged outlets and crews to prioritize respectful communication.

Postgame environments can be physically hectic as personnel move to capture interviews, sound and footage. Journalists and broadcasters often emphasize verbal coordination and awareness to reduce accidental collisions and to maintain professional standards, particularly when smaller crews or solo reporters are present.

Bouche did not indicate whether she planned to file a formal complaint with the game’s credentialing organization or with ESPN. There was no immediate indication that law enforcement was involved. The post remains visible on her X account, and the exchange has highlighted the tensions that can arise between credentialed media members working in close quarters after major sporting events.