Charissa Thompson feels “very lucky” to be a part of Amazon Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” team.
Set to officially get underway on Thursday, Sept. 15, when the Kansas City Chiefs host the AFC West rival Los Angeles Chargers, the veteran sportscaster — who also appears on “Fox NFL Kickoff” — is thrilled to be a part of the streaming service’s highly-hyped production, which is expected to include multiple feeds as well as a traditional broadcast.
“This is an unprecedented opportunity for me to be part of something like this,” Thompson told The Post on Wednesday of the streamer’s exclusive NFL package.
“The production each and every week of traveling, the trucks, and the crew that we are fortunate enough to have is very similar to a Super Bowl, the size and the different simulcasts that we’re doing. It’s a massive production and I’m just in awe of the people behind-the-scenes who put it all on, as for the teammates I get to sit next to.”
The “awesome” on-screen team that will be featured alongside Thompson at the desk includes NFL veterans Ryan Fitzpatrick, Richard Sherman, and her former Fox Sports colleague, Tony Gonzalez. Former “Good Morning Football” host Kay Adams was previously linked to the role before Thompson officially joined Amazon in June.
And while this squad is clearly well-versed in the game’s Xs and Os, there are a pair of TV rookies in Fitzpatrick, 39, and Sherman, 34, who have impressed Thompson, 40.
“They are so humble and so sweet, they’re just like, ‘Whatever we need to do,’ they’re just team-first guys,” she said. “They’re always asking what they can do better and I love that. I love anyone that’s part of a team and just wants to continue to get better, myself included in that conversation.”
Beyond her new role, Thompson will be wearing other hats this season, including that of a podcaster — she co-hosts the “Calm Down” podcast with Erin Andrews, and emcees Spotify’s ” We’re Good Here” — and a recruiter.
In partnership with Smirnoff, Thompson is helping the vodka brand search for an NFL fan to take on the title of “cocktail coordinator,” in hopes of scoring a trip to Super Bowl 2023. Those interested in applying must submit a video of themselves crafting a Smirnoff-fused cocktail that will draw cheers on game day.
With the season beginning this week, Thompson says she’s looking forward to what some powerhouses in the AFC and NFC are capable of this year.
“I still ride high with the Kansas City Chiefs, because you give Patrick Mahomes 13 seconds, as we saw against the Bills in last year’s divisional round — that heartbreaking loss for Buffalo — 13 seconds, and Mahomes is able to come up with a victory and send Josh Allen home,” Thompson said, adding that the Bills and Baltimore Ravens are among her other favorites in the conference.
As for the defending champion Los Angeles Rams, Thompson believes they have a “strong” roster despite a few notable departures, including Andrew Whitworth and Von Miller.
“That roster, albeit with a few losses, I still think has a very strong, top to bottom, led by Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp and their connection as well,” she said.
The Rams open the season at home Thursday night against the Bills.
