Back on the Road, Erin Andrews Is 'Hanging in There'

TAMPA, Fla. -- Erin Andrews, who was thrust into the national spotlight after the illegal videotaping of her in hotel rooms, said she's doing OK and is looking forward to returning home to Tampa this week, Andrews told FanHouse.

"I'm doing OK," Andrews said. "I'm so busy with college football, doing two games a week. It's a lot. We're in the middle of the season, really, really traveling a lot and I'm consumed with work. I'm doing OK. I'm fortunate I do two games a week and I'm so busy. I'm hanging."

In her first interview since appearing on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in August, Andrews told FanHouse she still enjoys her job as a sideline reporter for ESPN. A graduate of the University of Florida and Bloomingdale High School, located just east of Tampa, Andrews will work Thursday's game between No. 8 Cincinnati and No. 21 South Florida in Tampa.

The return home will allow her to spend some time with her family, her golden retriever and hit some of her favorite restaurants, including La Teresita.

"I'm coming home, I'm going to see my parents, I haven't seen them in a while," Andrews said. "I'm looking forward to seeing mom and dad. It's where I grew up, you know the lay of the land. I don't have any ties to USF, but it's nice to come home.
"I always feel like I'm a Florida girl. It will be great seeing the palm trees and eating by the water. But, mostly, just spending time with my family."

Earlier this year, Andrews' world was turned upside when nude videotapes, that were illegally recorded without Andrews' knowledge, were posted online. Michael David Barrett was arrested Oct. 2 on federal charges of interstate stalking for taking the videos, trying to sell them to celebrity Web site TMZ.com and posting the videos online, the FBI said.

Andrews is not allowed to discuss the case because it's an ongoing investigation. Since Barrett's arrest, she's only issued a brief statement -- "For my part, I will make every effort to strengthen the laws on a state and federal level to better protect victims of criminal stalking," she said. Andrews had turned down multiple interview requests. She agreed to only one interview about the incident and that was with Oprah.

"I decided this week I will start doing interviews again, but only about sports," she said.

And the first one was with FanHouse Tuesday.

"I always want to stay in sports, but at some point, I have to start thinking about starting a family. That's why I'll start cutting back. ... The only change coming is to start thinking about my personal life and family. It's kind of time."
- Erin Andrews Andrews, 31, said it's still "a blast" covering college football. But in the future, she said she'll have to reduce her schedule and make her personal life a bigger priority.

"One of my co-workers made the comment, and it's true, 'We're paid to travel,' " Andrews said. "We would work the games for free. We have a blast working and watching the games. It's the travel that is so difficult. After Saturday, you're running on fumes.

"I still enjoy it. When the game starts, it's just awesome. It's a personal high. It's fun to be down there [on the sidelines]."

She said she doesn't have a timetable how long she wants to remain a sideline reporter with ESPN, but she said she wants to remain in sports.

"I always want to stay in sports," Andrews said. "But at some point, I have to start thinking about starting a family. That's why I'll start cutting back. I have to take my personal life into account. I can't imagine not being a part of sports in the fall. I see my future [remaining] in TV. The only change coming is to start thinking about my personal life and family. It's kind of time."

Andrews lives in Atlanta, but jokes that she "lives on Delta."

Andrews prides herself on her work ethic and preparation for games, describing herself as a "nerd."

"I feel I'm getting a different niche for it, every year I grow," Andrews said. "I look for certain things. You kind of know what to look for. Doing your average injury report is pretty easy. I want to get into what the coaches are saying, the players' body language. To be able to give reports and information that the guys in the booth don't get to see."

Andrews also doesn't shy away from reporting what she witnesses. Last year while working the West Virginia at Colorado game, Andrews described West Virginia's sideline as "mass confusion."

"There were things on the sideline that I saw," she said. "I didn't call out certain people. I told [West Virginia] Coach [Bill] Stewart I wasn't trying to hurt the program. There were things going on with clock management and with communication with the quarterback. I think he appreciated me being honest. He's great to me. I think he appreciates my honesty.

"The great part about college football is it's like Christmas every week. You don't know what you're going to get every week. It's like what's going to happen this weekend? No one knows."

Even before the video surfaced, Andrews was the most scrutinized female in sports media. Now it's only worse. Some people actually suggested she leaked the videos as a publicity stunt and then questioned her photo shoot for GQ magazine -- even though the GQ piece was done in April before anyone had any knowledge of the illegal videotapes.

Andrews doesn't have time to concern herself with what others think about her. She values her family and friends.

Thursday's Cincinnati-USF game at Raymond James Stadium will be only her second game she's worked in Tampa for ESPN. From 1997-2000, she was intern for a Tampa television station -- where her father, Steve, still works.

"This game has a lot of hype to it with both teams nationally ranked and undefeated," Andrews said. "It's one of those games that shaped up perfectly for us. In talking to Cincinnati [Monday], they believe they're a national contender. We'll have to see.

"I have this sense there's so much more football to be played. People are wondering if Virginia Tech is a viable contender or if Texas can get past Oklahoma."



As far as Andrews' prediction on who will play for the BCS national title, she's picking her alma mater.

"I really like Florida and Texas," she said. "I also could see USC-Florida. That would be exciting. I think that would be a blast.

"If Florida stays on course and does not jump the track, like they did last year with Ole Miss, they should be there. Although it would be very interesting to see Florida's matchup with Alabama in the SEC title game. Nick Saban is no joke as a coach. From everything I've heard they're unbelievable."

After working Thursday night's Cincinnati-USF contest, Andrews will work Saturday's game between No. 22 South Carolina and No. 2 Alabama. Andrews said she's "really excited" about making her first trip to Tuscaloosa and as well as her first trip to the legendary Dreamland BBQ restaurant.

Before the interview ends, Andrews is asked one final time how she's doing.

"I'm hanging in there," she said.