“Horrific situation!”: Erin Andrews shocks fans with surgery horror story on Calm Down podcast with Charissa Thompson

Sports reporter Erin Andrews may be known for her poise on NFL sidelines, but she surprised listeners this week by revealing a deeply personal—and hilariously horrifying—childhood story on the Calm Down podcast, hosted with fellow broadcaster Charissa Thompson. What began as casual banter about DMV mishaps and throwback memories took a sharp and unexpected turn when Erin opened up about a surgery that has haunted her since childhood.In a candid conversation, Andrews described how her mother once suggested she undergo ear-pinning surgery to address her protruding left ear, which often stood out in school photos.Trusting her mother’s advice, young Erin agreed to the procedure, expecting a minor cosmetic fix. What followed, however, was far from routine.“My school pictures always had my left ear sticking out. So my mom had said ‘if it bothers you enough we could get it pulled back,’” Erin recalled. But the results were anything but picture-perfect. The surgery involved cutting slits behind her ears and adjusting the cartilage—a process that quickly turned gruesome.Describing the moment she realized something had gone wrong, Erin said, “I feel blood trickle down, shove my finger and pull the bandage out, ain’t cute, walk into my mom’s bedroom.” She didn’t mince words in summing up the experience: “Horrific situation!…worst thing I ever did in my life.”Charissa, clearly taken aback by the reveal, responded with a mix of laughter and disbelief, simply asking, “Why?” The authenticity of their exchange struck a chord with listeners, many of whom flooded the comments with their own childhood surgery stories and admiration for the hosts’ vulnerability.Their friendship and ability to share both laughs and real-life mishaps are key reasons Calm Down continues to resonate with fans. In the same episode, they also reflected on the power of maintaining a positive mindset and surrounding oneself with uplifting people—a recurring theme in their show.To complement the episode’s tone, the podcast’s Instagram featured childhood photos of both women, including Erin in her cheerleader days and a high school-era Charissa, whom fans jokingly compared to actress Kristen Bell. While the throwbacks delighted fans, they also served as a reminder that these women weren’t always TV pros—they were once just kids with awkward haircuts and big dreams.Also Read: “Just how down-to-earth she is”: Bills GM Brandon Beane shares heartfelt praise for Josh Allen’s fiancée Hailee SteinfeldWith Erin’s Fox Sports contract recently expiring and Charissa thriving on Amazon’s Thursday Night Football, both women continue to evolve professionally. But it’s their down-to-earth stories, like Erin’s ear surgery debacle, that keep their audience coming back.