ESPN reporter Jess Sims made College GameDay history during Saturday’s broadcast from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Her unfiltered weather report before the Ohio State and Michigan rivalry game sparked immediate reactions from the studio panel.
The moment came just before kickoff at The Big House, where temperatures had dropped to 28 degrees with wind chill making it feel even colder.
Jess Sims’ cold weather report that went viral
When host Rece Davis cut to Sims for an on-field report, she delivered a brutally honest assessment of the conditions inside Michigan Stadium.
“I’m glad that it feels good there because it is cold as shit in the stadium,” Sims said live on air. “So just wait for it.”
According to Jess Sims, it’s “cold as shit” inside The Big House! pic.twitter.com/kizOcWan0m
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 29, 2025
The explicit language immediately sent the studio panel into hysterics. Davis quickly jumped in with a playful response that acknowledged what just happened on national television.
“If you’re keeping score at home, that’s Jess’ first bad word on TV,” Davis joked, prompting laughter from analysts Pat McAfee, Kirk Herbstreit, and Nick Saban.
Sims celebrated the milestone moment with genuine enthusiasm. “Yes! It took four years, but I’m here. I finally made it!” she responded, clearly proud of her unscripted comment.
The ESPN reporter then continued with her actual weather report. “We talked to both Michigan and Ohio State, and Michigan said, ‘Hey, it’s a great day to play some football,’ and that’s definitely some Big Ten football talk.”
Sims had been preparing for the frigid conditions all morning. She posted on Instagram showing the many layers of clothing she wore to survive the early morning setup at The Big House.
The GameDay crew was later treated to hot cups of coffee in the studio, which made Sims visibly jealous as she stood outside in the cold. “Please bring me some, I need some. I can’t feel my hands,” she demanded.
The comment quickly went viral on social media. The clip was shared thousands of times within hours, with fans praising Sims for her authenticity and humor in the face of difficult conditions.
ESPN has reportedly loosened its rules regarding cursing during broadcasts in recent years, though the f-word remains banned. The network’s more relaxed approach allows personalities like McAfee to bring their authentic voices to the show.
The moment came during one of college football’s biggest rivalry games. Ohio State entered ranked number one in the country, facing Michigan in a matchup that typically determines Big Ten supremacy.
The Buckeyes were looking to end a four-game losing streak against the Wolverines. Ohio State ultimately dominated the game 27-9 in snowy conditions, securing their spot in the Big Ten championship game.
Sims has been a College GameDay correspondent since 2022, regularly appearing on the show for on-field reporting and interviews. Her genuine personality has made her a fan favorite among viewers.
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