ESPN reporter Jane Slater had an unexpected fan moment while covering the Dallas Cowboys ’ game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium. During a live report before kickoff, country singer Lainey Wilson appeared behind her, and Slater struggled to hide her excitement. She called Wilson “her Dolly Parton” before later meeting the singer and sharing a hug and photo. The Cowboys went on to lose 24-16 on October 8, but Slater’s reaction became a memorable part of the night. The moment showed a different side of the longtime NFL reporter and drew attention online.




Jane Slater calls Lainey Wilson her Dolly Parton Slater was on air ahead of the Cowboys’ matchup with Tampa Bay when she noticed Wilson standing behind her. The singer wore an all-white, cowgirl-style outfit with a hat, loose trousers and a jacket. Slater tried to carry on with the report, but her attention quickly turned to the country star.




“She’s my Dolly Parton,” Slater said, making clear how much she admires Wilson. The comment compared the singer to one of country music ’s best-known stars and gave viewers a glimpse of Slater away from her usual NFL coverage .




ESPN host Christine Williamson also appeared surprised when she realized Wilson was nearby. The exchange kept the mood light during the pregame broadcast, even as Slater tried to stay focused on her work.




Slater has covered the NFL for years and has worked with NFL Network since 2016. She is used to reporting from busy stadiums and speaking with players and coaches, but spotting a favorite singer in the middle of a live report caught her off guard.




Wilson, 34, is known for her country songs and her signature cowgirl look. She has built a strong following across the United States, and her appearance at AT&T Stadium gave Slater a chance to see the artist she admires in person.




Jane Slater meets Lainey Wilson after the live reportThe moment did not end when the cameras moved on. Slater later got to meet Wilson, and the two shared a hug and posed for a photo together. Slater posted pictures of the meeting on X through her account, @SlaterNFL.




The photos showed both women smiling with their arms around each other. For Slater, the chance to meet Wilson turned a surprise sighting into a personal highlight from the game.




The meeting happened before a rough night for the Cowboys. Dallas lost 24-16 to Tampa Bay on October 8 at AT&T Stadium. The Buccaneers earned their first win of the season, while the Cowboys fell to 2-3. Reuters reported that Tampa Bay’s running game and three takeaways helped secure the result.




Tampa Bay rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels completed 19 of 25 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown, while running back Bucky Irving rushed for 165 yards. Their performances helped the visitors leave Dallas with the win.




The game itself was still the main event for Slater’s work, but the brief exchange with Wilson offered a lighter moment before kickoff. Rather than pretending to be unfazed, the reporter let her excitement show and later shared the meeting with her followers.




The story was reported by The Sun, which noted that Wilson appeared behind Slater during the live ESPN segment. The Cowboys’ official website also confirmed the 24-16 final score.