Written by LEE JEFFRIES
Jasmine Baker, an alumna of the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media, found her big break in an unexpected yet magical way. This summer, her career trajectory aligned perfectly, propelling her from a fresh graduate to a budding sports journalist with the Chicago Bears — all while covering the Paris Olympics.
“Everything just aligned and I don’t think I could have planned it even if I tried,” Baker describes.
Just two weeks after graduating from UNC in 2023, Baker landed a role as a content creator for the Chicago Bears, marking her entry into the world of professional sports journalism. For Baker, going from student to NFL reporter in such a short time felt surreal and exhilarating.
“I worked really hard for it,” she says, “but to actually be reporting for an NFL team, right, I mean, two weeks after graduation was kind of surreal.”
Jasmine Baker, who graduated from UNC in the spring of 2024, poses in front of the Olympic rings. (Photo via Jasmine Baker.)
In April, Baker met with her bosses at the Bears to sign her contract — an event that coincided with meeting her first player, Jonathan Owens, who had just been traded to the team. This encounter sparked a friendship that would play a pivotal role in her Paris adventure.
“We were walking back from practice,” Baker says, “and I mentioned to him that I was going to be in Paris for the Olympics with my school, UNC. He was like, ‘We should link up, we should hang out.'”
Her bosses at the Bears and their social media team proposed Baker spend a day with Owens in Paris, capturing his experiences as both a Bears player and U.S. gymnast Simone Biles’ husband. The day turned into an extraordinary journey, starting at the Eiffel Tower and ending with an iconic moment at the Louvre. At the museum gift shop, Owens bought a pen and said he was going to take notes of Biles at her meet.
“I just have to take a picture of this pen,” Baker remembers thinking. “I have to take a video because this pen’s about to witness history, witness greatness, witness Simone winning another gold all around medal.”
The pen, adorned with an image of the Mona Lisa, became a quick sensation after Baker posted an image on her Instagram story with the caption, “Mona Lisa is about to witness the GOAT.” Owens reposted the story to his own Instagram, and from there, major outlets like the Today Show, NBC Sports, and E! News highlighted the story. Ultimately, the story made it to People Magazine, crediting Baker for her content.
Baker says this experience has been affirming as her post grad career in sports journalism starts to solidify. She says at the core of her work remains both a deep interest in sports and a commitment to sharing compelling athlete narratives.
“This is why I do it,” she says. “And this is what I do: I tell athletes stories, I shine a light on who they are.”
Reflecting on her journey, Baker feels grateful to UNC for positioning her for this moment.
“This experience has shown me that UNC was the right decision,” she concludes. “Even four years later, I am so grateful for all the things that UNC did to prepare me for this moment and to put me in this place.”
The Chapel Hill Media Group is partnering with the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media to publish stories reported by students in Paris, France for the 2024 Olympic Games. Lee Jeffries is one of 25 student journalists working under the direction of professor Charlie Tuggle, who are publishing their stories through a variety of North Carolina outlets.
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