Get her an honorary Heisman.
CBS Miami sports reporter Samantha Rivera is being praised online after delivering an impressive stiff-arm when an overzealous fan attempted to get in her live shot following Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday.
During her coverage of the Vegas Golden Knights’ 7-2 win over the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Rivera fended off the fan with her right arm while holding her microphone in the other hand, all the while keeping her eyes on the camera.
“Nope!” Rivera said repeatedly as the fan attempted to invade her live shot, which appeared to be filmed near the lower level area of the arena.
“That’s the kind of fan you don’t want to be, right,” Rivera added while continuing her recap of Game 2.
The fan, who has yet to be identified, appeared to be wearing a Golden Knights jersey.
Rivera, an American bilingual sports journalist and Chicago native, addressed the incident on social media, sharing the now-viral video of her stiff-arming the fan on both Twitter and Instagram.
CBS Miami sports reporter Samantha Rivera fending off a fan that attempted to enter her live shot during a recap of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on June 5, 2023. Twitter/Samantha Rivera“Panthers lost another rough one tonight but let this serve as a reminder to back the hell off when I’m working and respect that I’m doing my job,” she wrote on Instagram. “Excited to get back home to some classy #Panthers fans for game 3!!”
In a separate post on Twitter, Rivera wrote: “Listen, I don’t give a damn what team you’re rooting for – get the hell out of my face when I’m working and respect that I’m here to do my job.”
During the live shot, Rivera’s colleagues in the studio commended her for how she handled the situation.
CBS Miami sports reporter Samantha Rivera fending off a fan that attempted to enter her live shot during a recap of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on June 5, 2023. Twitter/Samantha Rivera“Samantha standing her ground there,” one male anchor said, while his female counterpart added, “Absolutely, she could take to the ice.”
Rivera was a good sport about the incident and appeared to embrace the stiff-arm buzz on social media.
Taking to her Instagram Story, the sports reporter shared a screengrab of a recent text exchange, in which she liked messages that read, “New nickname for you … Stiff arm.”
CBS Miami sports reporter Samantha Rivera during Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2023. Instagram/Samantha RiveraFans on Twitter applauded Rivera’s strength and professionalism.
“This was somehow the most dominant showing of the night,” one person wrote.
“Great work keeping your cool and continuing to do your job!” another added. “That guy needs to show some respect.”
CBS Miami sports reporter Samantha Rivera fending off a fan that attempted to enter her live shot during a recap of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on June 5, 2023. Instagram/Samantha Rivera It’s unclear if arena security was involved or if the fan was disciplined.
As for Rivera?
She could have a future on the football field, although she’s thriving in sports journalism.
Game 3 of the series shifts to Florida on Thursday night, with Vegas holding a commanding 2-0 lead.
