A reporter covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defended her use of a mask to protect herself after receiving criticism about wearing it in the final game of the NFL regular season.

Jenna Laine, a reporter who covers the team in the NFC South, chose to wear a mask during the Bucs’ Sunday afternoon game against the New Orleans Saints.

One anonymous user on X, formerly Twitter, chose to mock her decision to mask up by calling it ‘hilarious’.

Laine then explained her decision – revealing that she’s been battling some health issues over the past few weeks.

‘Hey buddy… I’ve been sick off and on since Dec 15,’ Laine responded on the social media platform.

‘Yet the Bucs’ injury report has had ZERO players with upper respiratory illnesses (Mike Edwards had a stomach bug). I’m masking up to continue protecting YOUR favorite players, coaches, their families and myself. You’re welcome.’

ESPN reporter Jenna Laine defended her choice to wear a mask at work as she battled illness

Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield takes questions after Sunday’s game vs. New Orleans

She continued: ‘…Like why does anyone care if someone is wearing a mask??? You don’t know their health status or history, what kind of immunosuppressants they may be on, what sick family members they may have at home or what they might be protecting YOU from. Mind your business, Dorothy.’

In further replies, Laine explained that she has been taking ‘antibiotics, cough-suppressants, anti-nausea (because the coughing was making me vomit), I had a steroid sH๏τ Friday and I’m three days in on a prednisone pack.’

Laine revealed that taking all of that medication was the only way that she would be able to continue working. She also said that she stayed home for two days due to her illness and that a doctor cleared her to return to work as long as she wore a mask to protect herself and others.

‘It’s the only way I was able to work in any capacity or cover the game. I was desperate,’ Laine said in another reply. ‘One walk-in clinic told me I needed to go to the ER because they couldn’t do anything more.

‘So glad I went to another. I have had some insomnia from it but that and being a tad hyperactive the first two days have been the only sides.’

Tampa Bay’s win over New Orleans solidified their NFC South division тιтle and locked up the last playoff spot in the NFC.

In the process, wide receiver Mike Evans surpᴀssed the 1,000 receiving yards mark for the season. It’s his 11th straight 1,000+ yard season – tying Hall of Famer Jerry Rice’s record for the most consecutive campaigns of hitting four-digit receiving yards.

Tampa Bay is the four-seed in the playoffs and will host the Washington Commanders on Sunday night on NBC.