Did NFL Sideline Reporter Jane Slater Tragically Die?

A shocking rumor spread fast about Jane Slater.

A false rumor spread online just before Sunday’s NFL games. The claim said longtime NFL reporter Jane Slater had died. It spread quite quickly on social media and shocked many fans.

The rumor appeared during Week 16 of the 2025 NFL season, when fans were already focused on important games. The Seahawks had beaten the Rams on Thursday, the Eagles clinched the NFC East on Saturday, and the Bears upset the Packers in overtime. Amid all the excitement, the fake story started gaining attention.

Posts online claimed Slater died at age 40 after a domestic violence incident. It read, “A veteran reporter having followed the team for over a decade has passed away at the age of 40 after a tragic domestic violence incident, leaving behind a 5-year-old child. Her years of dedicated work, along with the heartbreaking circumstances surrounding her d3ath, have left loyal fans stunned, devastated, and praying for her and her family.”

The posts included a photo of Slater. None of it came from a verified outlet. None of it checked out.

Slater quickly shut it down herself.

Jane Slater Responds Directly

Jane Slater interviews DeVonta Smith (Photo By Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

An NFL fan tagged Slater on social media and asked a blunt question. “Did you pass away??” the fan wrote.

Slater replied with humor. “I don’t think so?” she wrote. She followed with another line. “But does this mean there is glitch in the matrix? I’m gonna wrap myself in bubble wrap until NYE.”


Her response confirmed the obvious. She is alive and well.

Slater works as a Cowboys insider and sideline reporter and has covered the team for more than 10 years. Fans generally see her on the NFL Network and during game broadcasts. No trusted news outlet reported her d3ath, and there was no police report. The rumor existed only on social media.

The situation is a pure example of how false stories can spread. Posts go viral within minutes, and as usual, people share them without checking facts. D3ath hoaxes often target well-known figures, including reporters and athletes. Similar rumors have happened before, such as when Matthew Stafford’s wife had to deny a false d3ath claim that had just come up out of nowhere.

Slater responded quickly, which helped stop the rumor beforehand. The Cowboys and Chargers will start as scheduled, kicking off at 1 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, Slater continued working as usual.